Democrat Ben Westlund won the race for Treasurer. He and Republican Allen Alley were each unopposed in their respective primaries. Constitution Party nominee Michael Marsh was also on the November ballot.[2]
Democrat John Kroger was elected Attorney General. He won the Democratic nomination over Greg Macpherson.[3] Kroger also won the Republican nomination since no Republican filed and the most write-in votes—2,885—were for him.[4] Three minor party candidates were also on the November ballot: J Ashlee Albies (Oregon Working Families Party), Walter F. Brown (Pacific Green Party), and James E. Leuenberger (Constitution Party of Oregon).[2]
Of the 60 races for the House, 39 had both Democratic and Republican candidates; 24 of those were in districts previously represented by Republicans, 15 in districts previously represented by Democrats. Sixteen Democrats had no Republican opponent, and five Republicans had no Democratic opponent.
Sixteen of the Senate's 30 seats were up for election. Fifteen are typically slated for general election, but Brad Avakian's seat was opened up when he was appointed state labor commissioner. Nine of the districts were previously held by Democrats, of which four races were contested; seven were currently held by Republicans, of which four were contested.
Oregonian voters decided on 15 statewide ballot measures in 2008, Measures 51 through 65.
May
In the May primary election, all three statewide ballot measures, 51, 52, and 53, passed. Measures 51 and 52 amended the Oregon Constitution with regard to crime victims' rights; Measure 53 also amended the state Constitution to modify the limits on property forfeited in criminal cases. All three were legislative referrals.
Measures 51 and 52 passed by wide margins, but Measure 53 was extremely close and required a hand recount; it eventually passed with a final official count of 50.03% to 49.97%.[5]
Amends constitution: Modifies provisions governing civil forfeitures related to crimes; permits use of proceeds by law enforcement.
Measure 53
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
490,158
50.03
No
489,477
49.97
Total votes
979,635
100.00
November
In November 2008, voters considered eight initiatives, 58 through 65, and four legislative referrals, 54 through 57.[6]
Measures 54, 55, 56, and 62 were amendments to the Oregon Constitution.
The four referrals all passed, and the initiatives all failed.
Amends constitution: Standardized voting eligibility for school board elections with other state and local elections. Repealed the unenforceable state constitutional provision that only people 21 years of age or older can vote in school board elections.
Amends constitution: Provides that May and November property tax elections are decided by majority of voters voting. Repealed the "double majority" rule for these elections enacted by Measure 47 in 1996.
Increases sentences for drug trafficking, theft against elderly and specified repeat property and identity theft crimes; requires addiction treatment for certain offenders.
Changes general election nomination processes for major/minor party, independent candidates for most partisan offices. Would have created a blanket primary.
Measure 65
Choice
Votes
%
No
1,070,580
65.91
Yes
553,640
34.09
Total votes
1,624,220
100.00
Citizens' Initiative Review of 58
Healthy Democracy organized a trial run of the Citizens' Initiative Review process they advocated in September on Ballot measure 58. They brought together a representative cross-section of voters as a citizens' jury to question and hear from advocates, and experts on language education. The panelists then deliberated and reflected together to come up with statements in support (9 panelists) and opposed to (14 panelists) the measure, which are available online and were read out by the panelists at a press conference. Health Democracy advocated for the state to organize such a review of each ballot measure, and include the statements in the voters' pamphlet. '"It was exhausting, but it was exciting to have a group of people with hugely diverse backgrounds and experience listening carefully to both sides and all respectful to one another," said Lorene Wallick'[9][10]
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