MEDFORD, Ore. (Nov 23, 2025) — A fast-moving campaign called No Tax Oregon, backed by state Republican leaders, is in high gear as it seeks to gather more than 78,000 signatures by the end of December to place a referendum on the November 2026 ballot. The goal: overturn recently passed transportation-related tax hikes enacted by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. Tina Kotek.
What the Referendum Targets
Under the law Gov. Kotek signed, Oregon will see:
A 6-cent increase in the per-gallon gas tax Higher vehicle registration and title fees A doubling of the statewide payroll tax for transit, from 0.1% to 0.2%.
Opponents argue these hikes will place undue burden on working households.
Signature Drive Is Underway — and Gaining Momentum
No Tax Oregon organizers say they collected over 43,000 signatures in just three days after petition sheets rolled out across the state. Volunteer stations have popped up in more than 20 counties, including in rural regions, at farmers’ markets, granges, small businesses and community centers.
Rep. Ed Diehl (R-Stayton), one of the lead petitioners, said the early surge shows strong grassroots energy.
The Clock Is Ticking
The campaign must submit 78,116 valid signatures — equal to 4% of ballots cast in the most recent gubernatorial election — by Dec. 30, 2025, the 90-day deadline after the Legislature adjourned.
But the timeline is tighter than it appears. Because Gov. Kotek waited until the last possible day (Nov. 12) to sign the transportation bill into law, opponents say that compressed the window for gathering petitions.
Experts warn that the delay could make it hard for the No Tax Oregon campaign to hit its targets.
Political Stakes Are High
The referendum has attracted support from several prominent GOP figures in Oregon, including Sen. Bruce Starr (R-Dundee) and Jason Williams, director of the Taxpayer Association of Oregon.
Some Republican gubernatorial hopefuls — such as Danielle Bethell and Christine Drazan — have publicly backed the effort, framing it as a fight for “affordable driving costs” and taxpayer rights.
On the other side, proponents of the tax package, including Gov. Kotek, argue the increases are necessary to sustainably fund road maintenance, preserve transit services and avoid layoffs.
What’s Next
If the referendum campaign is successful and the signatures are verified, Oregon voters will have the opportunity in November 2026 to accept or reject the transportation tax package.
If it fails to gather enough signatures, the tax hikes will stay in place as signed into law. But for now, No Tax Oregon organizers are pushing hard — deploying volunteers, setting up dozens of signing sites, and rallying public support in hopes of giving voters the final say.
Southern Oregon Signature Campaign
The No Tax Oregon referendum effort has launched an extensive signature-gathering push across southern Oregon, with volunteers staffing signing stations throughout Jackson and Josephine counties. The campaign has set up more than two dozen locations, offering residents multiple opportunities to sign the petition aimed at sending Oregon’s recently enacted transportation taxes to voters.
In Jackson County, signing sites span Central Point, Medford, Phoenix, Talent, Eagle Point, White City, Rogue River, Shady Cove, Gold Hill and Jacksonville. Most events are scheduled for today, Nov. 23, with additional multi-day availability in downtown Medford from Nov. 25–29. As the date to complete the signature gatherings gets closer, additional locations and dates are expected to be announced by the group.
In Josephine County, volunteers are collecting signatures at multiple Grants Pass locations on Nov. 23, including sites on Monument Drive, Beacon Drive and the fairgrounds. The Josephine County GOP headquarters will host extended signing hours from Nov. 25–29.
The coordinated effort reflects one of the campaign’s largest regional mobilizations to date, aiming to maximize turnout ahead of the December signature deadline.
The referendum drive reflects broader tensions over infrastructure funding and taxation in Oregon. As the campaign ramps up, its success — or failure — could significantly shape transportation policy and political alignments in the state ahead of the 2026 elections.
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