Government Structure Failed General Election
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PEAPAC Recommends: YES

Reflects the divine balance of unity and diversity (One and Many); encourages local self-government (specifically East Multnomah County).

Summary

Eases requirements for forming new counties, allowing population to substitute for land area.

Biblical Reasoning

The civil development of God’s people in the Old Testament shows an important balance between larger and smaller units of governance, such as between tribal government and the monarchy. This is a reflection of God being both One and Many, exhibiting in His nature both unity and diversity. He is Triune, both one and three, one God existing in three persons.

This is in line with the original idea of county government – an appropriate degree of local self-control. We thus support Measure 85 as a sound recasting of old Biblical principles.

Election Results

45%
55%
YesNo

Voters rejected the changes to county formation requirements (55% No).

Full PEAPAC Analysis

PEAPAC Explanation: If passed, Measure 85 would amend the Oregon Constitution and remove the current requirement that new counties be comprised of at least 400 square miles. This land requirement could be met instead by a population requirement of 100,000 people.

We support Measure 85, for the same reason we support Measure 84. The civil development of God’s people in the Old Testament shows an important balance between larger and smaller units of governance, such as between tribal government and the monarchy. This is a reflection of God being both One and Many, exhibiting in His nature both unity and diversity. He is Triune, both one and three, one God existing in three persons. This divine balance is seen in our bi-cameral federal Legislature. Specific geographic regions of widely varying size and population are equally represented in the U.S. Senate. The U.S. House of Representatives, on the other hand, represents roughly equivalent population blocks.

At first glance, this Measure seems contrary to this goal of balance. But in fact, the practical effects of Measure 85’s passage would be to restore a degree of self-government to the eastern portions of Multnomah County, through the creation of a new county. This is in line with the original idea of county government – an appropriate degree of local self-control. We thus support Measure 85 as a sound recasting of old Biblical principles. We recommend a Yes vote on Measure 85.

Related Measures

Measure 84 (2000) — Supported for similar reasons regarding checks and balances. View →

← PreviousMeasure 84 (2000)