Federal Lawsuit Seeks Emergency Order to Halt Oregon Gas Tax Referendum Shift to May Primary

By Diane Megaw On Mar 19, 2026

FILE - Oregon Department of Transportation Building - October 2024 | Photo by Seth Smigelski

A federal lawsuit was filed on Tuesday seeking a Temporary Restraining Order to give voters more time to submit arguments for or against moving SB 1599- the Gas Tax referendum- from the November general election ballot to the May primary.

Filed by Former state lawmaker and attorney Julie Parrish, along with Thomas Rask in the U.S. District Court in Portland on behalf of the Right to Vote on the Gas Tax political action committee and several individuals, the plaintiffs say the measure violated the rights of disabled voters. Secretary of State Tobias Read is the defendant.

Oregon Senators passed SB 1599 on February 23, moving the referendum from the November general election ballot to the May primary.

The plaintiffs allege that shortening the timeline for arguments for or against the measure violated the rights of disabled voters. Under Oregon law, residents must collect 500 signatures or pay a $1,200 fee to submit an argument.

Tidings Insight

This fight is about access to the voters’ pamphlet, not the gas tax itself. Oregon arguments must be filed by fee or by a petition with verified signatures.

The petitioners- opponents of Oregon’s proposed gas tax hike- want the court to intervene before voters’ pamphlets are sent out for the May primary and request an emergency hearing to consider a temporary restraining order.

Tidings Insight

A TRO is emergency relief. It is meant to prevent immediate harm before fuller briefing, not to give a final ruling on SB 1599.

While a Marion County judge already ruled against the same plaintiffs earlier this year, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order.