June 2, 1902: The “Oregon System” Is Born

The Direct Legislation League, under leader William S. U’Ren, was a driving force of progressive democratic reforms at the turn of the last century. One of the league’s early successes occurred on June 2, 1902, when Oregon voters approved a ballot measure that created Oregon’s initiative and referendum process.

Direct primaries were enacted by voters in 1904, and a constitutional amendment permitting recall of public officials was passed in 1908. The combination of these democratic reforms, allowing citizens to directly propose and change laws and the constitution through general elections, became known nationally as the Oregon System.