Oregon — Oregon State Representative and gubernatorial candidate Ed Diehl announced Tuesday that he has filed a lawsuit seeking to block Senate Bill 1599, a newly signed law that shifts a transportation tax referendum from the November 2026 general election to the May 2026 primary.
Diehl, who served as a chief petitioner for the referendum effort, said the lawsuit asks a court to issue an injunction preventing the law from taking effect and allowing voters to consider the measure in November as originally expected.
The legal challenge was filed jointly with Senate Minority Leader Bruce Starr and Jason Williams of the Taxpayer Association of Oregon, along with other plaintiffs involved in the referendum campaign.
The referendum, officially known as Referendum Petition 2026-302, seeks to repeal fuel tax increases, higher vehicle registration and title fees, and a transit payroll tax approved during the Legislature’s 2025 special session to fund transportation programs.
Supporters of the lawsuit argue that more than 250,000 Oregonians signed petitions expecting a November vote and that changing the election date after certification undermines the referendum process.
Diehl said the lawsuit asserts violations of constitutional protections for referendums and free and equal elections. He contends the compressed timeline created by the May election makes it difficult for opponents of the tax package to organize and fully participate in the voters’ pamphlet process.
Governor Tina Kotek signed SB1599 into law on March 2 after it passed the Legislature. Further details about the court case are expected as the legal proceedings move forward.
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