March 3, 2026 3:50 a.m. 

On Monday, State Representative Alek Skarlatos issued a statement following his decision to walk out on a floor session before a vote was taken to move the gas tax referendum from the November ballot to the May Primary Election.

Skarlatos said, “Today I left the floor before the vote on SB 1599, the attempt by the Democrat supermajority and Governor Tina Kotek to rig the vote on the Gas Tax Referendum by moving this important election from the November to the lower turnout May Election”.

Skarlatos said, “I could not in good conscience remain on the floor for a vote that so blatantly seeks to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of Oregonians. Like those Republican members who remained on the floor to vote no, I am hopeful the courts will step in to squash this blatant attempt by Democrats to avoid being held accountable by the voters”.

The legislation to move the vote passed in a 31-20 vote.

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Starr said last week that members of his party would file suit if Democrats passed SB 1599.