Oregon Public Broadcasting

Tuesday night, Oregon voters said they love parties.

Political parties, that is.

Oregonians voted ‘no’ on Proposition 65. The measure would have replaced the current political party-based primary system. Instead the two candidates who got the most votes – regardless of party – would have gone on to the general election.

With a little more than half of the ballots counted, the measure lost with "nos" running 65 percent, to 35 percent in favor.

Former Governor Barbara Roberts was one of lead opponents.

Gov. Barbara Roberts: “The system we have in place, the primary and general election system, works. We’re one of the highest turnout states in the nation, our votes get counted, nobody gets left out, minor party candidates are on the ballot. There’s just no reason to toss all that out.”

Two former Secretaries of State were the biggest supporters of the proposal.

But the state’s Democrats and Republican parties joined in opposition to it, and relatively little money was spent by either side.