What Is 2022 Oregon Ballot Measure 111

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: Oregon Ballot Measure 111, passed in November 2022, established a constitutional right to abortion and authorized the state legislature to fund abortion services. It received 56.7% of the vote.

Key Facts

Measure 111 passed on November 8, 2022, with 56.7% voting 'Yes'
It amended the Oregon Constitution to guarantee a fundamental right to abortion
The measure allows state funds to be used for abortion services
It was a response to the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022
Measure 111 does not create an absolute right; it permits regulation in the final stages of pregnancy

Overview

2022 Oregon Ballot Measure 111, officially titled the Right to Abortion Initiative, was a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment that appeared on the state's general election ballot on November 8, 2022. The measure aimed to enshrine the right to abortion in the Oregon Constitution, ensuring legal protection even if federal protections were weakened or removed.

With growing national uncertainty following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in *Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization* in June 2022, which overturned *Roe v. Wade*, Oregon voters considered whether to codify reproductive rights at the state level. Measure 111 passed with 56.7% support, reflecting strong public backing for abortion access in the state.

Measure 111 amended Article I, Section 8a of the Oregon Constitution to establish a fundamental right to abortion before fetal viability, approximately 24 weeks.
The measure explicitly prohibits the state from denying or interfering with a person’s right to access abortion services.
It allows the use of public funds to cover abortion procedures, removing financial barriers for low-income individuals.
Measure 111 was placed on the ballot through a citizen initiative process, gathering over 170,000 valid signatures to qualify.
While it guarantees access early in pregnancy, the measure permits regulation and restrictions on abortion after fetal viability, unless the patient’s life or health is at risk.

How It Works

Measure 111 functions by embedding abortion rights directly into Oregon’s Constitution, making them more difficult to overturn through legislative action or judicial interpretation. This constitutional protection ensures that even if future legislatures attempt to restrict abortion, courts can strike down such laws as unconstitutional.

Term: The measure defines abortion as a medical procedure to terminate a pregnancy. This right applies to all individuals, regardless of gender identity or legal status.
The right to abortion is protected up to the point of fetal viability, generally around 24 weeks of gestation, as determined by medical standards.
After viability, abortions are permitted when necessary to protect the life or physical or mental health of the pregnant individual.
Measure 111 authorizes the Oregon Legislature to appropriate funds for abortion services, enabling state-funded healthcare programs like Oregon Health Plan to cover procedures.
It prohibits state agencies from imposing undue burdens, such as mandatory waiting periods or biased counseling, on individuals seeking abortion care.
The measure does not create liability for healthcare providers who decline to perform abortions due to religious or moral objections.
It affirms that the right to abortion includes access to all methods, including medication abortion and surgical procedures, without unnecessary restrictions.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares Oregon’s Measure 111 with abortion laws in neighboring states and the federal landscape before and after *Dobbs v. Jackson*:

State/Federal	Abortion Legal Status	Viability Limit	Public Funding	Key Restrictions
Oregon (post-Measure 111)	Protected up to viability	~24 weeks	Yes, state funds allowed	None before viability
Washington	Protected by law	~24 weeks	Yes, limited	Parental notification for minors
California	Constitutionally protected	~24 weeks	Yes	None before viability
Idaho	Banned after 6 weeks	N/A	No	Near-total ban
Federal (pre-2022)	Protected under Roe	~24 weeks	No federal funding	Varies by state

This comparison highlights Oregon’s position as a reproductive rights stronghold in the Pacific Northwest. Unlike Idaho, which enacted strict abortion bans after *Dobbs*, Oregon’s constitutional amendment ensures enduring access. The use of public funding further distinguishes it from states that restrict taxpayer support for abortion.

Why It Matters

Measure 111 has significant implications for reproductive healthcare access, legal precedent, and interstate migration for abortion services. By embedding abortion rights in the state constitution, Oregon set a model for other states seeking to protect reproductive freedom amid shifting federal policies.

The passage of Measure 111 reinforces Oregon as a safe haven for abortion care, attracting patients from restrictive states.
It strengthens legal standing for future challenges to abortion restrictions, making it harder for courts to uphold bans.
By allowing public funding, the measure advances health equity, particularly benefiting low-income and rural communities.
Healthcare providers gain clearer legal protections when offering abortion services under state constitutional authority.
The measure may influence future ballot initiatives in other states aiming to codify reproductive rights.
It underscores the growing trend of using state constitutions to protect rights not guaranteed at the federal level.

Overall, Measure 111 represents a pivotal moment in Oregon’s commitment to bodily autonomy and reproductive justice, ensuring that access to abortion remains protected for future generations.