How to Research Past City Measures

This site contains complete vote counts for all City Measures from 1942 to 2010.  This includes City Council referred measures, citizen initiative and referendum petitions. 

This information is organized by decade - simply click on the time period you are interested in using the navigation bar to the left of your screen.  Or you may view a PDF listing of all measures since 1942.

Some of the measures include the text of the ballot measure.  If you are interested in reading the text of the measure and it is not included on this site, it may be archived at the City's Archives and Records Center. Contact the City Elections Officer for assistance.

 About City Measures & Petitions

Portland City Code Section 2.04.040 provides that measures may be submitted to the voters in one of two ways: City Council action or a petition from the public.

City Referred Measure

The first category of ballot measure is the City Referred Measure. The City council may refer a measure to the ballot for the following reasons:

• Charter Amendments which require a vote of the people;

• to refer ordinances or resolutions to the voters, when Council wants a public vote for political reasons;

• to pass money measures, such as a bond measure or operating levy;

• or to ask a general question in an area in which Council would like the public's input or advice.

Citizen Petitions

The second group of ballot measures are those placed on the ballot by the public. These can be of two varieties: Initiative Petitions and Referendum Petitions .

Initiative Petitions
The initiative petition process provides citizens with a vehicle to refer legislation to a vote of the people. Initiatives may propose new legislation or make amendments to the City Code or Charter. The initiative process is discussed further in the election law section of this web site .

Referendum Petitions
The referendum petition process provides citizens with a vehicle to refer Ordinances passed by Council to a vote of the people. The referendum process is discussed further in the election law section of this web site .

Measures & Initiatives 2000 to 2010
Listing of all city measures & initiatives from 2000 to 2010