Panel debates raising major‑party threshold; committee adopts an amendment that would limit cross‑nominations to major parties

The House Rules Committee debated House Bill 39 08 May 29, a proposal to raise the party‑registration threshold required for an affiliation to qualify as a major political party from 5% to 10%.

Vice Chair Drazen offered a dash‑1 amendment intended to discourage fusion nominations by minor parties and to encourage minor parties to develop distinct identities. "To artificially continue to increase the cap so that a minor party doesn't become a major party, I think, is not beneficial to Oregonians," Drazen said, explaining she wanted minor parties to grow independently rather than act as de facto coattails for major‑party candidates.

Supporters of the amendment said it would incentivize party development and reduce the spoiler effect; critics, including Chair Bowman, said the amendment and the parent bill risk limiting voter choice and that fusion nominations provide voters additional information about where candidates’ positions align. Bowman said he worries the amendment could increase the chance of spoiler outcomes and reduce options for voters.

After debate the committee adopted the dash‑1 amendment and, later in the session, voted to move House Bill 39 08 to the House floor with a "do pass" recommendation. Several members said they opposed the amendment on policy grounds and voted against moving the bill to the floor, but the motion passed.