Opinion ID: 1138744
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: flesch formula for readability

Text: We next consider petitioner Deras's contention that the certified ballot title fails to comply with the ORS 250.039 test of readability. [11] Under the Flesch formula, a ballot title must achieve a reading ease score of not less than 60, unless this court can affirmatively find no ballot title could both achieve that score and, at the same time, meet the needs of impartiality, conciseness and accuracy. OAR 165-14-045(2). The goal of the readability test is plain and easily understood language. Application of the Flesch Formula to the Attorney General's certified ballot title here results in a reading ease score of 22. That means the language is difficult to very-difficult to read and understand. See n. 11, supra. During oral argument, respondent conceded with admirable candor that the certified ballot title flunks the Flesch test. With the foregoing in mind and in order to improve the certified ballot title's overall readability, we modify the Attorney General's statement to read:  SUMMARY: This measure would amend the state constitution. It would allow the voters and the state legislature to pass laws that place limits on campaign contributions. It would exempt such laws from sections 8 and 26 of the state Bill of Rights. Those sections forbid laws that restrict the rights of the people to speak, write, and print freely; to assemble; and to have access to the state legislature and its members. The state Supreme Court has said that these sections ban limits on campaign contributions. Application of the Flesch Formula to the modified ballot title results in a reading ease score of 60. In summary, we certify the following ballot title to the Secretary of State: EXEMPTS CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS FROM CONSTITUTION'S FREE EXPRESSION, ASSEMBLY GUARANTEES  QUESTION: Shall election campaign finance laws be exempt from the state constitution's guarantees of free speech, assembly, and access to legislators?  SUMMARY: This measure would amend the state constitution. It would allow the voters and the state legislature to pass laws that place limits on campaign contributions. It would exempt such laws from sections 8 and 26 of the state Bill of Rights. Those sections forbid laws that restrict the rights of the people to speak, write, and print freely; to assemble; and to have access to the state legislature and its members. The state Supreme Court has said that these sections ban limits on campaign contributions. Ballot title certified as modified.