#28

Second, the denturist movement has clearly been spurred by the overwhelming passage of the denturist initiative in Oregon in November, 1976. It appears that voters were fairly knowledgeable on this issue. The initiative in was placed on the ballot after several widely publicized failures of such measures to be passed by the legislature. The opponents, including virtually every professional association, mounted a strong media campaign, spending over $500,000 to defeat the measure. Nevertheless, it was passed by a margin of 78% to 22%, with more votes cast on this issue than any other on the ballot, including the governor's race, a property tax limitation, abortion and the death penalty. It appears that this method of changing the laws is likely to be employed in the future in those states which permit.