Oregon organizers propose 2028 ballot measure to ban corporate campaign spending

Organizers in Oregon have filed a proposed 2028 constitutional amendment aimed at banning corporations, unions, and other organizations from spending money to influence elections. The measure seeks to target independent expenditures, often referred to as ‘dark money,’ by leveraging the state's authority to govern corporations within its borders.

The proposal is modeled after a recent Hawaii law and an upcoming ballot measure in Montana. It attempts to circumvent the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. FEC, which allowed such groups to spend unlimited amounts on elections under free speech protections.

While the amendment would not prevent the creation of political action committees or individual member donations, it aims to eliminate large-scale independent spending. This comes as Oregon prepares for new individual contribution limits starting next year, which will cap donations to $3,300 per election for candidates.