2026 Elections: Oregon's Measure 120 Goes Down Fast - At Least So Far

Published 05/19/26 at 9:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Manzanita, Oregon) – Those traveling around Oregon will breathe a sigh of relief. The Associated Press has already called the election for Oregon's Measure 120 in Tuesday’s May 19 primary. The controversial “gas tax” has already gone down by a wide margin. (Above: historical photo of gas station in Neskowin, Oregon coast.)

By 8:50 p.m., updated results showed 83.10 percent voting no and 16.90 percent voting yes. Earlier in the evening, at 8:30 p.m., the state had reported 82 percent opposed, with 534,021 votes, and 17.27 percent in favor, with 111,515 votes, with more than 23 percent of ballots counted.

Although results are not yet certified, most media and other political pundits have called it. Oregon officials urge voters to wait for the measure's defeat to be confirmed.

The measure sought to double vehicle registration fees, raise title fees to nearly $220, and increase the state gas tax by six cents to 46 cents per gallon. The Associated Press projected the measure’s failure shortly after initial returns were released.

Vintage gas station building that was once in Warrenton

The tax package originated in the Legislature after Gov. Tina Kotek urged lawmakers to pass a transportation bill to help stabilize the Oregon Department of Transportation, which has been facing a nearly $300 million shortfall. Republican lawmakers opposed the gas-tax component and launched a referendum to overturn it.

Even after Democrats decided to pull the idea, Republicans forced it onto the ballot – considered by many to be a political stunt. The bill, as is, was destined to go nowhere in the first place.

After the referral qualified for the ballot, lawmakers moved in early March to redirect $218 million to ODOT to maintain core services and avoid layoffs while voters decided the fate of the measure.

Along the Oregon coast, where gas prices in the state are at the highest, it would've hurt the tourism industry, and probably would have affected local residents the hardest. Many coastal areas are reporting premium gas near or over $6 per gallon.

Keep an eye on Oregon's elections.

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