Many more prominent high technology companies opened factories in Oregon during the 1980s and 1990s. Some of them were spinoffs of Oregon's existing high technology companies. In 2000, about 100 initiatives are being considered for the Fall ballot. Since then, Oregon voters have deliberated on over 300 measures, more than any of the other 22 states with similar citizen initiative abilities. Oregonians are serious about the Oregon System, and many politicians who have abused the law have suffered the consequence at the ballot box.
Initiatives are citizen-sponsored amendments to either the state constitution or to statutory law.
Referrals are proposed laws that the legislature has sent to the voters to either approve or reject. Referendums give citizens the power to refer and vote on acts passed by the previous Legislative Assembly, as long as the act does not take effect earlier than 90 days after the end of the assembly. Initiatives are sponsored by any citizen or organization in the state, as are referendums. Referrals are sponsored by the state legislature. A constitutional amendment amends the Oregon state Constitution, which affects all laws based on the amended portion of the constitution.