Oregon Measure 56 – Double Majority
Measure 56 is to choose whether we overturn Oregon’s double majority voting law, or keep it as is. For those unaware, “double majority” means that at least 50% of registered voters have to vote, and then 50% of those who voted must vote “yes” for a ballot measure to pass. The double majority rule is used to pass certain local tax measures during the “off-season” of voting, which is generally less publicized and less likely to get mainstream attention, as opposed to the “general election” like this year.
A double majority vote means that anyone who doesn’t vote is essentially a “no” vote. Practically, that means that if 20% of voters vote, and 11% of them vote “yes” while the other 9% vote “no”, the “no” votes are joined by the non-votes – the other 80% of voters who didn’t vote. So then you’re left with 11% “yes” votes against 89% “no” votes, which defeats the measure. Without double majority, it would’ve passed with the 11% approval, which would actually be 55% approved to 45% opposed.
I wasn’t sure, initially, how to vote for this ballot measure. There are two sides to this coin. One side says “double majority elections proport voter apathy and hurt government agencies like police and fire departments from getting the funding they need.” The other side says “double majority elections protect voters by preventing lesser-known measures from passing, therefor saving taxpayers’ money.” I get both sides of the coin. I understand them. And that’s why I’m conflicted on this measure. It’s not easy, because both sides have very good points.
I’m glad we have voters’ pamphlets, because I’d be lost in this year’s election craziness without ‘em. Measure 56 has 7 pages of arguments from 20 or so different sources in favor of it, with only 2 1/2 pages from 5 sources against it. That tells me something – people feel more strongly about supporting this measure than opposing it. Supporters of this measure include the director of the Portland Public School Board, 20 mayors around Oregon, the American Federation of Teachers, Oregon State Fire Fighters Council, and others.
Aside from the huge support of Measure 56, there’s one more thing that pushes me in the direction of voting to approve this – voter apathy. I am not sympathetic to voter apathy, which is exactly what double majority protects. Voting is a right. If you don’t vote, then you waive the right to complain if something doesn’t go your way. Wanting to protect citizens who don’t vote is understandable to an extent, but I would hope that with the double majority rule abolished, voters would finally wisen up and do what they should – vote. That’s why I’ll be voting in favor of passing Measure 56, and I hope that you do the same.
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