Oregon Tax Measures Passing

PORTLAND, Ore.(AP) – Early results from Oregon's special election have come gushing in, and a large return from Multnomah County, a liberal bastion, has given two tax measures an early lead.

Polling suggested the final count could be closer. The heavy vote was a result of a new law that allows mailed-in ballots to be scanned days in advance of the close of voting.

With 58 percent of the expected vote counted, 57 percent had voted for Measure 66, which would impose higher taxes on the wealthy, and 43 percent had voted against.

On Measure 67, which would raise taxes on businesses, with 56 percent of the expected vote counted, 56 percent had voted for and 44 percent had voted against.