This measure would amend the Oregon Constitution to allow governments within the state to place limits on political campaign and campaign-related contributions and spending within their jurisdictions. It also would allow state and local governments to create laws requiring that political advertisements disclose their funders. This measure does not actually place any limits in and of itself.
But aren’t Portland and Multnomah County already enforcing campaign limits? Yes, and the Oregon Supreme Court recently ruled those limits are not unconstitutional. Measure 107 would add protection to that ruling.
This measure — referred to voters with bipartisan support — is a no-brainer. Oregon has some of the most lax campaign finance laws in the nation. Oregon is one of five states that place no limits on campaign contributions.
For too long, big money has influenced Oregon politics, as evidenced by the bloated influence of real estate interests, the timber and agricultural industries and other powerful players in Salem. With climate change posing the greatest existential threat of our time, we need sound environmental policy that isn’t watered down to appease industry.
Additionally, Oregon has seen good bills defeated by well-funded misinformation campaigns. In these uncertain political times, eradicating dark money from our political processes is paramount as we fight to preserve democracy.
High campaign spending has also made it challenging for many would-be politicians to gain traction — people of color and members of other marginalized groups are not always able to raise the millions of dollars needed to contend in high-profile races, and having millionaire and billionaire backers shouldn’t be a requirement for being a public servant.