In a landmark decision, the Oregon Supreme Court has upheld the disqualification of 10 Republican state senators from running for reelection. These senators had staged a record-long walkout last year, effectively derailing bills related to abortion, transgender healthcare, and gun rights.

The court's decision aligns with the secretary of state's ruling, which was based on Measure 113 - a voter-approved measure aimed at preventing such boycotts. The measure, passed in 2022, amended the state constitution to bar lawmakers from seeking reelection if they have more than 10 unexcused absences.

The walkout staged by the GOP senators lasted an astonishing six weeks, making it the longest in the history of Oregon and causing significant disruption to the legislative session. The boycott resulted in the paralysis of hundreds of bills and ignited a legal battle between the senators and the secretary of state.

Among the senators who challenged the disqualification were Tim Knopp, Daniel Bonham, Suzanne Weber, Dennis Linthicum, and Lynn Findley. These lawmakers were part of the group of 10 GOP senators who had accumulated more than 10 unexcused absences.

Senate Minority Leader Knopp expressed disagreement with the Supreme Court's ruling, emphasizing concerns about the potential suppressive effect on dissent. On the other hand, Democratic Senate President Rob Wagner welcomed the decision, stating that it clarifies how Measure 113 will be applied and benefits the state's governance.

Advocates for the disqualification of the senators pointed out that walkouts allow a small minority to undermine the majority's will, posing a threat to democratic processes. Alejandro Queral, executive director of the Oregon Center for Public Policy, stated that legislators and the public now have clarity on the application of Measure 113, which is beneficial for the state.

During arguments before the Oregon Supreme Court, attorneys for the senators and the state debated the language of the constitutional amendment after Measure 113's approval. The amendment states that a lawmaker is ineligible to run for "the term following the election after the member's current term is completed." The dispute centered around when this ineligibility takes effect. The Republican senators argued that they could seek reelection this year and serve another term before becoming ineligible in November 2028. However, the court disagreed, emphasizing that voter information provided clarity on their intent to bar truant lawmakers from holding office in the next term.

With this ruling, the Oregon Supreme Court has set a precedent for future cases involving boycotts and absenteeism by lawmakers. It establishes a framework for measuring and enforcing accountability among elected officials, ensuring a more streamlined legislative process.