City of Forest Grove Measure 34-353 — General Obligation Bonds to replace the current police facility (Washington County)

What it does

Shall Forest Grove issue general obligation bonds not to exceed $29.5 million in principal for a new police facility? If the bonds are approved, they will be payable from taxes on property or property ownership that are not subject to the limits of sections 11 and 11b, Article XI of the Oregon Constitution.

A YES vote means

Forest Grove could borrow up to $29.5 million by issuing general obligation bonds for a new police facility, repaid with property taxes.

A NO vote means

Forest Grove would not issue these bonds for a new police facility.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

According to the City Council's explanatory statement, Forest Grove's 12,120-square-foot police facility was built in 1977, and the department has since grown from 12 to 42 personnel.

The statement says a 2016 needs assessment found 34 significant deficiencies, such as inadequate evidence storage, no private victim interview space, insufficient separation of adult and juvenile offenders, and ADA, building and seismic code problems. A 2018 analysis concluded that remodeling or expanding was impractical.

The new 21,500-square-foot facility would be built at 19th and Birch on City-owned land. The City estimates the cost at $29.5 million, or about $193 a year ($17 a month) for the average assessed household.

Put on the ballot by Forest Grove City Council.

From official source.

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Also on Washington County ballots

• City of Banks Measure 34-352 — Levy to fund dedicated Washington County Law Enforcement Services
• City of King City Measure 34-354 — City of King City Charter Modernization Amendment

All Washington County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Forest Grove Measure 34-353 mean?

Forest Grove could borrow up to $29.5 million by issuing general obligation bonds for a new police facility, repaid with property taxes.

What does a NO vote on City of Forest Grove Measure 34-353 mean?

Forest Grove would not issue these bonds for a new police facility.

How many votes does City of Forest Grove Measure 34-353 need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on City of Forest Grove Measure 34-353?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.