Initiative and Referendum Petitions
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Notice of Receipt of Ballot Title- Allowing Marijuana Retail Facilities, Impose 3% Recreational Marijuana Sales Tax
Notice is hereby given that on May 2, 2024 the City Elections Official, Lilly Alarcon-Strong, of the City of Hermiston received a citizen prospective initiative petition that complies with constitutional requirements for the General Election of November 5, 2024. Any voter dissatisfied with the ballot title may file a petition for review in the Umatilla County Circuit Court no later than 5:00pm on May 17, 2024 and notify the City Elections Official by said date.
View the Initiative Petition and Authorized Agent.
The text of the ballot title is as follows:
BALLOT TITLE: ALLOWS MARIJUANA RETAIL FACILITIES, IMPOSES 3% RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA SALES TAX.
QUESTION: SHALL THE CITY OF HERMISTON ALLOW MARIJUANA RETAIL FACILITIES AND COLLECT A 3% TAX ON RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA RETAIL SALES?
SUMMARY: A citizen ballot initiative was initiated to amend Title XV, Chapter157 allowing marijuana retail facilities within Hermiston. This measure repeals the prohibition on marijuana retail facilities within the city adopted by Hermiston voters in November 2016. Title XV, Chapter 157 of the Hermiston Municipal Code currently prohibits all marijuana-related businesses within the city. This measure amends Title XV, Chapter 157 to allow marijuana retail facilities licensed by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission that are licensed to sell marijuana directly to a consumer in the State of Oregon. This measure also does the following: 1) It creates various requirements for placement and operation of marijuana retail facilities; 2) It imposes a 3% local tax on all recreational marijuana items sold by marijuana retailers, to be used for general government purposes; and 3) It includes provisions for the City to enforce and collect the 3% tax.
A "Yes" vote allows marijuana retail facilities in the City of Hermiston, with a 3% tax on marijuana retail sales.
A "No" vote continues the prohibition on all marijuana-related businesses.
Posted: 05/08/2024
Petition Signatures
A ballot title appeal was not filed. The Chief Petitioner is able to begin collecting signatures for this initiative beginning May 22nd. 1,614 valid signatures are required to be submitted to the City Recorder by 5:00pm on June 7, 2024 for an opportunity for the ballot title to be placed on the General Election Ballot.
Signature sheets have been submitted by the Authroized Agent to the City Recorder as of June 7, 2024. Verifications for 2,376 signatures are being processed by the Umatilla County Elections Division. Results of the signature verifications will be posted to this page once received by the Umatilla County Elections Division.
Updated 06/12/2024
Petition Signature Results
The City received the official signature results from the Umatilla County Elections Division on June 28, 2024. The Chief Petitioner did not obtain enough valid signatures required to place their initiative on the 2024 General Election Ballot. View the results at: Petition Processing Statistics Report.
Posted 07/08/2024
