Oregon Drivers Card, Measure 88 Fails

Tuesday, November 04, 2014

Measure 88 was voted down, meaning four-year driver licenses will not be available be to undocumented residents, according to DHM political researcher Tim Hibbits and KPTV.

At 9:30 p.m., with 68 percent of the votes in, the measure was failing 68 percent to 32 percent.

The measure was put on the ballot after a 2013 Oregon legislature passed SB 833 that allowed the DMV to issue driver cards to undocumented residents. Two groups, Oregonians for Immigration Reform PAC and the Protect Oregon Driver Licenses Committee, led the petition campaign to put the decision to voters.

In 2008, Oregon passed a law requiring proof of citizenship or legal residency to obtain a drivers license. Since then, activists groups have tried to get bills passed to overturn the law. Last year’s, SB 833, was the first successful one.

Supporters of the measure say driver cards will keep motorists safe by lowering the number of uninsured and unlicensed drivers and would allow undocumented residents to travel for work or school. However, opponents say it would've increased illegal immigration and that the wording of the bill allows for loopholes in identifying people and requiring insurance.

Polls suggested the measure would fail, with 60 percent of voters saying they would vote against it.

Opponents of Measure 88 included Oregon senators and representatives along with several law enforcement officials. The Oregonians for Immigration Reform PAC and the Protect Oregon Driver Licenses Committee received $62,215.06 in contributions altogether. The group Yes on Oregon Safe Roads PAC, that opposed the ballot measure, raised less than $594,109.92 in contributions.