Lane County, Oregon

With the passage of measure 47 in the 1996 general election and measure 50 in the may 1997 special election, it is now a state wide requirement that all levy, bond, and property tax ballot issues pass with 50% or greater voter turnout in all non-general elections. Under this law, two requirements are needed for the passage of an issue. Instead of passing with only a majority of "yes" votes, a specified number of voters must participate as well. This new law emphasizes the importance of voter turnout in Lane County, and throughout Oregon.

In general, high voter turnout is located in areas with permanent communities and longstanding investment in the outcome of local election results. More transient communities, such as the university area in Eugene and other urban centers, often display lower turnout statistics.

The emotional and political climate of a given election has tremendous bearing on turnout statistics. In addition, the scope of the election, whether it is local or national, has a measurable impact on turnout results. These maps for instance, were created using data from a non-presidential election.  A turnout map for the 2000 elections may look very different. The "individuality" of each ballot and the social circumstances surrounding a given election should always be taken in to consideration when analyzing voter turnout.  

Copyright © Department of Geography, University of Oregon 1999