Oregon System

government, Oregon, United States

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Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

The Oregon System refers to a set of progressive government reforms pioneered in Oregon. These include the initiative and referendum, allowing voters to propose and vote on laws, and recall, enabling the removal of elected officials. Oregon was also an early adopter of a state income tax in 1923.1

The state's executive branch is led by a governor, and other elected officials include the secretary of state, treasurer, and attorney general. The legislature is bicameral, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Oregon's court system is headed by the Supreme Court, with a Court of Appeals and trial courts at the circuit and county levels. Towns and cities in Oregon have home rule, allowing them to choose their own government structures.1

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Oregon
Constitutional framework
government collectively known as the Oregon System. In 1902 the concepts of initiative and referendum were introduced, by which voters are able to initiate and vote upon statutes or constitutional revisions; these were supplemented in 1908 by the system of recall, under which the removal of elected officials can be…
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government collectively known as the Oregon System. In 1902 the concepts of initiative and referendum were introduced, by which voters are able to initiate and vote upon statutes or constitutional revisions; these were supplemented in 1908 by the system of recall, under which the removal of elected officials can be…
Read More