Skip to main contentThe November ballot is pretty light on initiatives that could alter Oregon's political landscape—with the exception of Measure 90, which would scrap the current primary system for one in which all candidates run in the same primary and the top two candidates, regardless of political affiliation, run in the November general election.
Both of the major political parties oppose the change, as do public employee unions. Business interests are backing the measure. They also funded a similar measure in 2008, which was defeated by a 66 percent to 34 percent margin.
Measure 90 is shaping up as a reprise of the long-running battle between unions and business for control of the state. Today, the campaign against Measure 90, Protect Our Vote, reported a total of $100,000 in contributions from two unions hoping to protect the current system.
Protect Our Vote disclosed $50,000 contributions each from the Oregon Education Association and Service Employees International Union, the state's two largest public employee unions. That brings their total raised to $127,000, of which $89,000 is still on hand.
Since qualifying for the ballot, the Yes on 90 campaign has raised $488,000 from industry associations, utilities, car dealers and a who's who of Oregon business groups. The campaign has $155,000 on hand.
WWeek 2015