Multnomah County, OR’s Preschool for All: A November 2020 Ballot Measure Case StudyIn 2018, two separate campaigns began efforts to create a publicly funded universal preschool program in Multnomah County, OR. One of the campaigns, Preschool for All, was established by Multnomah County Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson as an extension of a decade of community-led work to expand access to early childhood education. The other campaign, Universal Preschool Now, began as a grassroots movement following the closure of local community centers.1 Both campaigns had the same goal: to secure voter approval for a countywide universal preschool program funded by a tax on high-income earners. Although they initially began and operated separately, the two campaigns coalesced in August 2020 around shared goals and values and merged their efforts to support a single ballot measure. In November 2020, voters approved the measure to create the Multnomah County Preschool for All program funded by a new high-income earners’ tax currently projected to raise $160 million annually by 2026. Download PDF Filed under:Early Childhood, Advocates/Intermediaries, Funders, Policymakers/Agency Leaders, Publication, Voter-Approved Children’s FundsMore Resources Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Travis County, TX Raising Travis County supports child care slots for babies and toddlers from households with low income, and after-school and summer school slots for elementary school-age children. Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Whatcom County, WA The Healthy Children’s Fund invests about $10 million a year to increase access to quality early education and care, improve kindergarten readiness, and support vulnerable children in Whatcom County, WA. Updates and Events Interview February 25, 2026 King County, WA, Keeps Community at the Center with Best Starts for Kids News February 11, 2026 States Push for Dedicated Funds for Children and Youth in Response to Federal Funding Challenges Insights January 14, 2026 A New Year of Standing Together for Children and Youth Close Share it! Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Click to copy URL Link Copied!
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Travis County, TX Raising Travis County supports child care slots for babies and toddlers from households with low income, and after-school and summer school slots for elementary school-age children.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Whatcom County, WA The Healthy Children’s Fund invests about $10 million a year to increase access to quality early education and care, improve kindergarten readiness, and support vulnerable children in Whatcom County, WA.
News February 11, 2026 States Push for Dedicated Funds for Children and Youth in Response to Federal Funding Challenges