Linn County, OR. — Sweet Home City Councilor and House District 11 candidate Angelita Sanchez has joined a statewide lawsuit challenging the Oregon Legislature’s attempt to move a voter-qualified transportation tax referendum from the November 2026 general election to the May primary.
The lawsuit argues that lawmakers cannot change the election date for Senate Bill 1599 after more than 250,000 Oregon voters signed petitions to place the measure on the November ballot. Petition language circulated statewide specified the vote would occur during the November general election.
Sanchez joined the suit alongside State Sen. Bruce Starr, State Rep. Ed Diehl, and Oregon Taxpayers Association representative Jason Williams. The plaintiffs include citizens from multiple counties across Oregon.
According to the announcement, Sanchez helped gather signatures for the referendum, circulating petitions throughout House District 11 and reviewing sheets for compliance with Oregon election law. She also transported completed petitions for submission after the referendum qualified.
Supporters of the lawsuit argue that changing the election date after signatures were collected would alter the terms under which voters signed the petitions. Sanchez said she believes the state’s referendum process requires that measures qualifying for the November general election remain on that ballot.
The lawsuit seeks expedited judicial review to determine whether the legislature has the authority to retroactively change the election date of a certified referendum.
Sanchez said the case raises broader concerns about voter authority over major tax increases and the integrity of Oregon’s referendum process.
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