2021 Oregon Revised Statutes
Chapter 260 - Campaign Finance Regulation; Election Offenses
Section 260.537 - False publication intended to mislead electors; civil action; penalties.


(a) The date of the election;
(b) The deadline for depositing a ballot in order for the ballot to be tallied;
(c) The voter registration deadline;
(d) The methods by which an elector may register to vote;
(e) The locations at which an elector may deposit a ballot in order for the ballot to be tallied;
(f) The qualifications an individual must meet to be eligible to vote in an election; or
(g) An elector’s voter registration status.
(2) As used in subsection (1) of this section, "cause" does not include the broadcast of an advertisement by a radio or television station or cable television company unless the advertisement is created by the owner, licensee or operator of the station or company.
(3) This section applies only to a letter, circular, bill, placard, poster, photograph, publication or advertisement that is written, printed, published, posted, communicated or circulated, including by electronic or telephonic means, within:
(a) 30 calendar days before a primary election or special election; or
(b) 60 calendar days before a general election.
(4) The Secretary of State may institute proceedings to enjoin any violation of this section, except that in the case of a violation by the Secretary of State or a candidate for the office of the Secretary of State, the Attorney General may institute proceedings to enjoin any violation of this section. In any action brought under this section, the circuit court may at any time enter such injunctions, prohibitions or restraining orders, or take any other actions as the court may deem proper. A restraining order, prohibition or injunction may be issued under this section without proof of injury or damage to any person. The circuit court shall give priority to the hearing and determination under this section. The court shall award the prevailing party reasonable attorney fees at trial and on appeal.
(5) Upon proof of any violation of this section, the court shall impose a civil penalty of not more than $10,000. All penalties recovered under this section shall be paid into the State Treasury and credited to the General Fund.
(6) The remedy provided by this section is the exclusive remedy for a violation of this section. [2021 c.291 §2]

Structure 2021 Oregon Revised Statutes

2021 Oregon Revised Statutes

Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections

Chapter 260 - Campaign Finance Regulation; Election Offenses

Section 260.005 - Definitions.

Section 260.007 - Exclusions from definitions of "contribution" and "expenditure."

Section 260.011 - Prohibition on using cryptocurrency to make contribution.

Section 260.035 - Treasurer and statement of organization for political committees and candidates; change in information.

Section 260.037 - Liability of candidate or treasurer for default or violation of treasurer obligations.

Section 260.038 - Treasurer of more than one candidate or committee; replacement of treasurer.

Section 260.039 - Content of statement of organization of candidate or principal campaign committee.

Section 260.041 - Principal campaign committee.

Section 260.042 - Content of statement of organization of political committee.

Section 260.043 - Exemptions for candidate who expects neither contributions nor expenditures to exceed $750 or $3,500; exemptions.

Section 260.044 - Statement of independent expenditures; when person considered political committee or principal campaign committee; electronic filing; time frames; rules.

Section 260.046 - Discontinuance of statement of organization; rules.

Section 260.049 - Reports to be filed by certain corporations; rules.

Section 260.054 - Political committee campaign account; petition committee petition account.

Section 260.055 - Accounts of contributions and expenditures; inspection; preservation.

Section 260.056 - Written loan agreements.

Section 260.057 - Electronic campaign finance filing system; schedule for filing; Internet availability; exclusions; rules.

Section 260.064 - In-kind contribution from candidate, political committee or petition committee; insufficient filing; updated information.

Section 260.076 - Statements of contributions received during session of Legislative Assembly.

Section 260.083 - Contents of statements.

Section 260.085 - Listing of occupation of contributor; procedure when occupation is unknown.

Section 260.095 - Reporting expenditures that are both in-kind contributions and expenditures; notice to candidate or committee; process; rules.

Section 260.112 - Filing of certificate by candidate or treasurer of political committee or petition committee who expects neither contributions nor expenditures to exceed $3,500; schedule.

Section 260.118 - Treasurer and statement of organization of petition committee; filing electronic statements of contributions and expenditures; schedule; rules.

Section 260.156 - Rules for reporting expenditures and contributions.

Section 260.163 - County or city campaign finance provisions.

Section 260.200 - Secretary of State rules for accounts, forms, material to be retained and material not subject to disclosure.

Section 260.205 - Inspection of statements; notice of failure to file correct statements; complaints; sufficiency of response.

Section 260.215 - Periodic examination and investigation of statements.

Section 260.218 - Subpoena authority.

Section 260.225 - Court proceedings to compel filing of correct statements; attorney fees.

Section 260.232 - Civil penalty for failure to file statement or to include required information; notice.

Section 260.234 - Notice of civil penalty; sufficiency of response; timeline for action by filing officer.

Section 260.241 - Removal from general election ballot for failure to file statement; notice to candidate.

Section 260.255 - Preservation of filed statements by filing officers; maintenance of data filed electronically; State Archivist rules.

Section 260.262 - Accounts of chief petitioners; review and inspection; retention; disclosure as public record; rules.

Section 260.266 - Statement of persons who paid for communication in support of or in opposition to clearly identified candidate; requirements; rules.

Section 260.275 - Definitions for ORS 260.275 to 260.285.

Section 260.281 - Donor identification lists; contents; updates; rules.

Section 260.285 - Civil penalty for failure to file donor identification list or to include required information; notice; rules.

Section 260.315 - Distribution of copies of law.

Section 260.345 - Complaints or other information regarding violations; action by Secretary of State and Attorney General.

Section 260.365 - Election or appointment after deprivation of nomination or office for violation.

Section 260.402 - Contributions in false name.

Section 260.407 - Use of contributed amounts for certain purposes.

Section 260.413 - Prohibition on committee providing consideration in connection with nondisclosure agreement relating to workplace harassment.

Section 260.432 - Solicitation of public employees; activities of public employees during working hours; recognized student government exception.

Section 260.532 - False publication relating to candidate or measure; civil action; damages; other remedies; limitation on action.

Section 260.537 - False publication intended to mislead electors; civil action; penalties.

Section 260.550 - Use of term "incumbent."

Section 260.555 - Prohibitions relating to circulation, filing or certification of initiative, referendum or recall petition.

Section 260.556 - Secretary of State prohibited from counting petition signatures obtained by certain persons.

Section 260.558 - Payment for signing or not signing initiative, referendum or recall petition; sale or purchase of signature sheets.

Section 260.561 - Liability of certain chief petitioners for violations committed by persons obtaining signatures on petition; exceptions.

Section 260.563 - Liability of contractor obtaining signatures on petition for violations committed by subcontractor; exceptions.

Section 260.567 - Alteration of information on petition signature sheet; exceptions.

Section 260.569 - Payment based on signatures obtained on nominating petition or voter registration card.

Section 260.575 - Use of threats and intimidation for purpose of extorting money.

Section 260.635 - Bets and wagers on election results.

Section 260.645 - Illegal acts relating to voting machines or vote tally systems.

Section 260.665 - Undue influence to affect registration, voting, candidacy, signing petitions; solicitation of money or other benefits.

Section 260.675 - Prohibited distribution of ballots.

Section 260.695 - Prohibitions relating to voting.

Section 260.715 - Prohibited conduct.

Section 260.993 - Criminal penalties.

Section 260.995 - Civil penalties.