The state of Oregon was able to pass measure 91, which legalized the use of recreational marijuana starting July 1, 2015.
Measure 91 has garnered much media attention since the start of the election season and is still being heavily reported on, as it is a major moment in Oregon’s history.
Measure 88, the measure that would allow illegal immigrants who are living in Oregon to obtain a driver’s card, failed to pass as 66.4 percent voted no and only 33.6 percent voted in favor of it.
It can be argued that Measure 88 was likely one of the most important measures on the ballot for Oregon voters because its result directly affected the lives of illegal immigrants in Oregon who want to drive legally on the road.
This measure may not have passed for a multitude of different reasons.
It could be from a lack of voter knowledge for the measure and the result in a no vote since voters didn’t feel like they knew enough about what the measure would do.
People across the state as well as nationally have linked this to a racist view of illegal immigrants.
Their thought is that some of the people that voted no on the measure likely voted no when they read that the main thing that this measure does is allow illegal immigrants to apply to get a driver’s card.
What most people did not understand is that the driver’s card does not give them the same privileges as a driver’s license.
The driver’s card does not give them the right to vote, it just allows them to drive legally on Oregon roads.
Overall, this measure should have passed because this directly affects families who now may be unable to drive their children to school and will face more unneeded hardships.
Others who voted no on the measure expressed that no matter what, the illegal immigrants can still drive illegally in Oregon.
The consequences of getting caught without a documented card or license are an unneeded anxiety for illegal immigrant drivers who are trying to commute from work or drive a family member somewhere.
Some people are upset because people are delineating the people the measure affects as illegal immigrants and not as the humans that they are.
The Hispanic community as well as other supporters campaigned industriously for the passing of the measure by holding forums and discussions to clear up any confusion on what the measure does.
Unfortunately those that came to the discussions were mostly people who already supported the measure.
If people take away anything from the failure of Measure 88 it should be that this measure suffered to gain support because of a lack of voter education, which affects many elections as well as predetermined thoughts on illegal immigrants before some voters even learned anything about what the measure does.

Jonathan Williams can be reached at [email protected]

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