Candidates seeking office in Oregon don't face limits on how much they can raise or spend. The ruling means that won't change.
In 2006, voters approved a measure that would have created new contribution and spending rules for candidates and parties. But they failed to approve a companion measure that would have amended the state constitution to allow for such an exemption. The new rules never took effect.
Doing so would have been necessary, since opponents of limits have successfully argued that spending and contributions are constitutionally-protected free speech.
The decision has added another dimension to the campaign for Oregonian Secretary of State
