February 24, 4:00 a.m. 

On Monday, the Oregon State Senate voted to move a vote on the gas tax referendum to the May 2026 Primary ballot.

A release from the Senate Majority Office said that means Oregon voters will weigh in on transportation funding at the earliest possible juncture, allowing lawmakers to hammer out road maintenance and repair solutions sooner.

The referendum will decide whether to repeal increases in fuel taxes, vehicle registration and title fees, and transit payroll taxes passed by the legislature in 2025 to fund transportation maintenance, construction and operations, including emergency responses.

Democrats say the Oregon Constitution gives the legislature the authority to set the date of referendum elections. Senate Bill 1599 passed by a 17-13 vote. It now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

State election officials have said the bill would need to be passed by both chambers and signed by Governor Tina Kotek by Wednesday in order to be sure the state could meet statutory election deadlines.

On Monday, Republican Minority Leader State Senator Bruce Starr, who helped lead the campaign to refer the tax measure to voters, said that he and others involved in that campaign would file a lawsuit if Democrats passed the bill.