Jackson County Votes: Special Election Results and Reactions

This article will be updated throughout the count as additional information is available. First counts are expected just after 8:00p this evening.

Medford, Oregon- Voters across Jackson County finished voting Tuesday in a special election that includes two high-profile local measures: Medford’s Measure 15-238, a proposed increase in the city’s transient lodging (hotel) tax to help jump-start a major downtown redevelopment called Creekside Quarter, and Measure 15-239, a five-year local option tax for the Rogue River/Gold Hill area to fund fire and emergency services. The measures — which affect how visitors are taxed in Medford and how fire services are funded in the Rogue River/Gold Hill area — were among several local items on ballots countywide.

Measure 15-238 (City of Medford)

Measure 15-238 would increase Medford’s transient lodging tax (TLT) by up to two percentage points — from the city’s current 11% rate to a proposed 13% — with revenue earmarked to support the initial phase of a multi-block redevelopment known as Creekside Quarter, including a conference and events center and related luxury hotel and commercial development. Proponents say the TLT increase would be paid by visitors, not local property taxpayers, and would act as a catalyst to attract private investment and long-term economic activity downtown. Opponents argue the measure lacks detail in the ballot pamphlet about some aspects of the Creekside Quarter plan and question whether the visitor tax is the right mechanism to finance the project.

Measure 15-239 (Rogue River / Gold Hill area)

Measure 15-239 is a proposed five-year local option tax of $0.80 per $1,000 of assessed property value for the Rogue River Rural Fire Protection District (the district that serves parts of the Gold Hill/Rogue River area). The levy is framed as a renewal and increase that would replace an expiring levy (previously $0.50 per $1,000) and provide funding to maintain fire protection, emergency medical response and to build reserves for apparatus and equipment. Officials say without the proposed rate the district would face service reductions, deferred maintenance and delayed equipment purchases. The district estimates the levy would raise roughly $725,900 in its first year and about $3.85 million over five years.

Final Election Night Non-Certified Count (10:30P)

Medford — Measure 15-238:

• Votes for YES: 51.73% (8,543)

• Votes for NO: 48.27% (7,972)

Rogue River / Gold Hill — Measure 15-239:

• Votes for YES: 54.26% (1,146)

• Votes for NO: 45.74% (966)

Context and reaction

Supporters of Measure 15-238 have argued the visitor-funded approach limits the burden on local homeowners while unlocking private investment and long-term job growth; local business and tourism groups have been visible backers. Critics, including some community activists and editorial writers, have said more transparency is needed in the ballot pamphlet about the scope of the Creekside Quarter project and how later phases will be financed.

For Measure 15-239, district officials and local caretakers point to response-time concerns, equipment needs and the expiration of earlier levies as key reasons to approve the tax; opponents focus on how property tax increases affect homeowners, especially those on fixed incomes.

At Medford Alert News, we’re providing full coverage of Jackson County’s Nov. 4 special election, tracking both Medford’s Measure 15-238 and Rogue River/Gold Hill’s Measure 15-239 from the first ballots to final results. Our team has published detailed explainers, including “Understanding Measure 15-238: Visitor-Funded Plan for Creekside Quarter,” breaking down how the proposed transient lodging tax increase would support Medford’s downtown redevelopment project. We’ll be posting live election-night updates, result summaries, and community reactions as votes are counted—keeping Rogue Valley residents informed every step of the way.

The latest (8:30P)