Oregon Measure 6, Prohibit Public Funds for Abortions Initiative (1986)

Oregon Measure 6
Election date November 4, 1986
Topic Abortion
Status d Defeated
Type Constitutional amendment	Origin Citizens

Oregon Measure 6 was on the ballot as an initiated constitutional amendment in Oregon on November 4, 1986. It was defeated.

A "yes" vote supported prohibiting state funds being used for abortion except in cases that would prevent the death of the pregnant woman.

A "no" vote opposed prohibiting state funds being used for abortion except in cases that would prevent the death of the pregnant woman.

Election results

Oregon Measure 6
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		477,920	45.17%
No		580,163	54.83%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Measure design

See also: Text of measure

Measure 6 would have prohibited the use of state funds for abortion except to prevent a pregnant woman's death. It was similar to another Oregon measure, Measure 7, which sought to prohibit public funds for abortion. It was defeated in 1978.

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Measure 6 was as follows:

“

Shall Oregon Constitution be amended to prohibit using state monies to fund abortions except to prevent death of the mother?

”

Support

Supporters

Organizations

• Taxpayers for Responsible Government

Arguments

• Taxpayers for Responsible Government: "About 80 percent of those women who would obtain state funding of abortions under current law will obtain other financing for their abortions and will therefore not give birth at state expense."

Opposition

Opponents

Organizations

• NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon
• Oregon Taxpayers for Choice

Media Editorials

See also: 1986 ballot measure media endorsements

Ballotpedia identified the following media editorial boards as taking positions on the initiative.

Ballotpedia lists the positions of media editorial boards that support or oppose ballot measures. This does not include opinion pieces from individuals or groups that do not represent the official position of a newspaper or media outlet. Ballotpedia includes editorials from newspapers and outlets based on circulation and readership, political coverage within a state, and length of publication. You can share media editorial board endorsements with us at [email protected].

Support

Ballotpedia did not identify media editorial boards in support of the ballot measure.

Opposition

• Statesman Journal Editorial Board: "We live by a rule of law. Measure 6 is an attempt by one group in the guise of fiscal responsibility and good government to impose its moral viewpoint on one vulnerable segment of society, the poor. If the target is abortion, which it clearly is, then attack the subject directly. Don't exploit peripheral issues or emotions."

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing ballot measures in Oregon

Citizens in Oregon have the power of initiative. This ballot measure was placed on the ballot through an initiative petition.

See also

1986 Measures

• 1986 Measures
• Abortion on the ballot
• 1986 legislative sessions

Oregon

• Oregon ballot measures
• Oregon ballot measure laws

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls

External links

• Oregon Blue Book Initiative, Referendum and Recall: 1980-1987
• Oregon State Constitution
• State of Oregon Official Voters' Pamphlet November 1986