Oregon 1920 ballot measures

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In 1920, voters decided on 20 statewide ballot measures in Oregon. On May 21, voters decided on nine measures. On November 2, voters decided on 11 measures.

• Five of the measures were initiated constitutional amendments.
• Three of the measures were initiated state statutes.
• Seven of the measures were legislatively referred constitutional amendments.
• Four of the measures were legislatively referred state statutes.
• One of the measures was a veto referendum.
• Voters approved ten (50%) and rejected ten (50%) measures.

On the ballot

May 21, 1920

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result	Yes Votes	No Votes
LRCA	Measure Nos. 300-301	Eminent domain; Transportation	Declare road usage for transporting raw products and natural resources as a public use, allowing eminent domain to acquire land for roadways.	a	100,256 (74%)	35,655 (26%)
LRCA	Measure Nos. 302-303	Budgets	Increase permitted indebtedness for constructing and maintaining permanent roads from two to four percent of total property value.	a	93,392 (67%)	46,084 (33%)
LRCA	Measure Nos. 304-305	Death penalty	Restore the death penalty for first degree murder, except when the jury recommends life imprisonment.	a	81,756 (56%)	64,589 (44%)
LRCA	Measure Nos. 306-307	Bonds; Local government	Allow Crook County and Curry County to issue bonds to fund warrants, not exceeding two percent of the assessed property value.	a	72,378 (66%)	36,699 (34%)
LRCA	Measure Nos. 308-309	Executive officials	Designate the Senate president as the governor’s successor in cases of vacancy or incapacity, with the Speaker of the House serving if both were unable, until the next general biennial election	a	78,241 (58%)	56,946 (42%)
LRSS	Measure Nos. 310-311	Education; Taxes	Levy a 3.2 mills tax for the Oregon agricultural college and the University of Oregon and a .06 mill tax for Oregon Normal Schools for salaries, buildings, repairs, and equipment.	a	102,722 (69%)	46,577 (31%)
LRSS	Measure Nos. 312-313	Veterans; Education; Taxes	Levy a two-tenths of one mill tax for educational aid to military veterans, beyond existing provisions.	a	91,294 (64%)	50,482 (36%)
LRSS	Measure Nos. 314-315	Education; Taxes	Levy a two mill property tax to support and maintain public elementary schools.	a	110,263 (74%)	39,593 (26%)
LRSS	Measure Nos. 316-317	Education; Taxes	Levy a one-sixth of a mill tax to construct and equip a school for the blind and an annual one-twenty-fifth of a mill tax for its maintenance.	a	115,337 (79%)	30,739 (21%)

November 2, 1920

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result	Yes Votes	No Votes
LRCA	Measure Nos. 300-301	Voting policy	Require compulsory voting and registration		61,258 (32%)	131,603 (68%)
LRCA	Measure Nos. 302-303	Legislature; Salaries	Limit regular legislative sessions to sixty working days and extra sessions to twenty days, with each legislator receiving up to $300 per regular session.		80,342 (48%)	85,524 (52%)
VR	Measure Nos. 304-305	Food and agriculture; Business	Regulate the manufacturing and sale of oleomargarine and butter substitutes		67,101 (36%)	119,126 (64%)
CICA	Measure Nos. 306-307	Property; Taxes	Authorize a single land tax in lieu of all other state taxes		37,283 (20%)	147,426 (80%)
CICA	Measure Nos. 308-309	Elections; Local government	Increase the term length from two years to four years for county clerks, treasurers, sheriffs, coroners, and surveyors.	a	97,854 (55%)	80,983 (45%)
CISS	Measure Nos. 310-311	Administration; Transportation; Water	Allow the Port of Portland, under the Dock Commission, to purchase properties, dispose of dredged materials, and operate lines of transportation to promote water commerce and issue bonds.		80,493 (49%)	84,830 (51%)
CICA	Measure Nos. 312-313	Education; Healthcare	Remove requirements for vaccination or other medication as a condition for attendance at any public educational institution.		63,018 (33%)	127,570 (67%)
CICA	Measure Nos. 314-315	Banking; Business	Provide for a fixed four percent legal interest rate on all moneys and, on contract, agreeing parties may have a five percent rate of interest.		28,976 (15%)	158,673 (85%)
CISS	Measure Nos. 316-317	Forests and parks	Create a refuge for native waterfowl in memory of President Theodore Roosevelt.		78,961 (42%)	107,383 (58%)
CICA	Measure Nos. 318-319	Legislature	Establish a biennial legislature session divided into 40-day periods for introducing and considering legislation, followed by a 10-day period for final legislation consideration.		57,791 (36%)	101,179 (64%)
CISS	Measure Nos. 320-321	Administration; Business	Create a State Market Commission to assist in economic product distribution, market disputes resolution, and storage inspection.		51,605 (30%)	119,464 (70%)

See also

• Laws governing the initiative process in Oregon
• Types of ballot measures in Oregon
• List of Oregon ballot measures
• 1920 ballot measures

External links

• Oregon Voter Guide (May 1920)
• Oregon Voter Guide (November 1920)