2 lawsuits challenge moving No Tax referendum to May primary

SALEM – There are now two lawsuits challenging moving the No Tax Oregon vote to the May primary from the November General Election. The Oregon Legislature’s Democrat supermajority forced the change the last week of its 2026 session.

Elkhorn Media Group has already reported on Mary Martin v. Tobias Read. Mary Martin is a Klamath Falls resident who uses a wheelchair and lives on social security. Her suit in U.S. District Court in Portland contends the switch to the earlier date prevents low-income and disabled people from submitting arguments to appear in the Oregon Voters Pamphlet. That is based on the fact that tomorrow is the deadline for those who want statements published. After that, they either must pay $1,200 or present five signatures.

Meanwhile, leaders of the No Tax movement have filed a suit in Marion County Circuit Court which also lists Secretary of State Tobias Read as the defendant. Rep. Ed Diehl (R-Scio), Sen. Bruce Starr (R-Dundee), and Taxpayer Association of Oregon founder Jason Williams along with 36 other plaintiffs from different political backgrounds contend that the change of date violates the state’s constitutional referendum protections.

More than 250,000 Oregonians signed the No Tax Oregon petition to pause a six cent gas tax increase as well as increases for car registration and title fees and the payroll taxes for using public transit. The petition called for the issue to be decided in the November election. 

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Elkhorn Media Group