“Yes on Measure 117” Announces Endorsements from Seventy-Five Diverse Organizations

November ballot measure gives voters the option to use ranked choice voting in Oregon, a simple improvement that gives voters more voice and more choice on their ballots

PORTLAND, Ore.— The "YES on Measure 117” campaign continues to garner support, and today announced that the statewide measure has secured the endorsements of 75 prominent organizations, a significant milestone with another 90 days until the November election. The growing support from diverse organizations underscores the broad appeal and momentum behind this simple improvement to Oregon elections. 

“We’ve built this campaign around the support of our communities along with Oregon’s leading advocacy groups who understand voters across the state are ready for change,” said Caroline Phillips, Communications Director for the campaign. “With our diverse coalition in the lead, we will move Oregon away from the current system of picking between the lesser of two evils. Measure 117 gives voters more choices and a better way to vote.”

The endorsing organizations represent communities across the state, including the League of Women Voters of Oregon, ACLU of Oregon, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Coalition of Communities of Color, Tribal Democracy Project, and Veterans for All Voters. Advocates highlighted the widespread support which they say reflects a shared desire to improve Oregon's voting system, strengthen representation, and bring in more voices to the table of our democracy.

Currently 13 million voters across more than 50 places in the United States – including places in Oregon – already use ranked choice voting. In places where it is already used, overwhelmingly voters who have used ranked choice voting prefer it to our current system.

If passed by Oregon voters this November, Measure 117 will:

• Give voters the option to rank candidates in statewide and federal races in both the primary and the general election.
• Provide local governments a roadmap to adopt ranked choice voting that prevents election officials from having to reinvent the wheel.
• Support a robust statewide voter education campaign to make sure all voters and communities across Oregon have the information they need to use ranked choice voting.

"Special interests continue to dominate campaigns while voters are left with very little space to select leaders we trust will prioritize the issues that matter most to citizens. Measure 117 gives us the opportunity to vote for candidates that most closely reflect our values,” said Derek Clevenger, Veterans for All Voters.  

"The League of Women Voters of Oregon only takes action after examining an issue in depth from all perspectives. After studying voting systems, we concluded that ranked choice voting gives voters the best representation, and we are proud to join a diverse coalition of 75 groups in endorsing Measure 117," said Audrey Zunkel-deCoursey, League of Women Voters.

“Measure 117 is our opportunity to have our voices heard, and to be able to vote for the candidate we think will do the best job. As a simple and proven change to our elections, ranked choice voting will offer voters of all ages more meaningful choices during our elections and make our voices count,” said Isabela Villarreal, Next Up Action Fund.

“Our democracy thrives when more people, of all cultures, faiths, and backgrounds, have a seat at the table. In the places where ranked choice voting is used, we've seen more first-time candidates, women, people of color, and young people, run for office and win in greater numbers. With Measure 117, we have a powerful opportunity to improve representation for all Oregonians,” said Marcus Mundy, Coalition of Communities of Color.

A fact sheet on Measure 117 is available for download here.

For more information, visit yesonmeasure117.com or contact Caroline Phillips, Communications Director.

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Oregon Ranked Choice Voting is part of a broad coalition of community organizations and individuals dedicated to bringing more voices into our elections. We champion Ranked Choice Voting, a real improvement to our elections that gives Oregonians more choice on our ballots and the opportunity to elect leaders who actually represent us and our values.