Let's wrap up our tour of the measures you'll be facing on the November ballot:

Measure 62 would amend Oregon's constitution to create a new public-safety fund, which would receive 15 percent of lottery proceeds for a variety of law enforcement and related programs. We recommend a "no" vote.

It's not that we don't think our public-safety programs need more money; they do. But we worry about the precedent Measure 62 sets; if it passes, it's a sure bet that advocates for other programs will be lining up in future ballot measures for their share of lottery money. (The Constitution now allows for lottery money to go to parks and natural resources, education, job creation and economic development.) The lottery isn't a bottomless source of money; Measure 62 would reduce money available for those other programs and would hasten the day when the lottery proceeds are split among so many causes that the money becomes meaningless.

Measure 63 would exempt certain construction projects from building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical permitting and inspections. If the value of a project was less than $35,000 a year, it wouldn't have to be permitted or inspected. It's true, as proponents of Measure 63 say, that governments collect money from permit and inspection fees. But the potential safety hazards from hundreds and eventually thousands of buildings that have had unapproved and uninspected work done to them is too great to ignore: We recommend a "no" vote.

Measure 64 would prohibit public entities from using public resources to help collect money for some, but not all, political purposes. The measure, as written, is strikingly vague. It likely would trample First Amendment rights. There's little likelihood that it would stand up to any kind of court challenge. Oregon voters have rejected this measure three times before; we should do it again. Vote "no" on Measure 64.

Finally, Measure 65, the so-called "top-two" primary proposal, would overhaul Oregon's election system for most of the state's offices. Here's how it would work: All eligible candidates, regardless of party affiliation, would run together on the primary ballot, and the November election would become a run-off between the two top finishers from the May election.

All voters, again regardless of party affiliation, would get to vote in the May primary; under current law, only voters who are registered with a specific political party get to vote in that party's primary. The measure requires that the ballot identify the political party that candidates have selected on their voter registration. The measure also requires that the ballot list any endorsements from a political party that have been accepted by the candidate.

The measure isn't perfect. But we think it will lead to more meaningful elections in both May and November and will force candidates to work harder to distinguish themselves from their opponents. There is potential that the measure will confuse voters - especially those voters who have made a habit of voting a straight-party ticket. But we have confidence in the brainpower of Oregon voters, and that's why we recommend a "yes" vote on Measure 65.

Ballot measures at a glance

Here's how the Gazette-Times is suggesting you vote on the various measures on this year's ballot.

Measure 54, to standardize voting eligibility for school board elections with other elections: Yes

Measure 55, to change the operative date of redistricting plans and to allow affected legislators to finish their terms in their original districts: Yes

Measure 56, to allow that property-tax elections in May and November would be decided by a simple majority of voters: Yes

Measure 57, to increase sentences for drug trafficking and various property crimes and to require addiction treatment for certain offenders: No

Measure 58, to prohibit teaching a public-school student in a language other than English for more than two years: No

Measure 59, to create an unlimited deduction for federal income taxes on individual taxpayers' Oregon income-tax returns: No

Measure 60, to base teacher pay raises on classroom performance, not seniority: No

Measure 61, to create mandatory minimum sentences for certain property crimes: No

Measure 62, to allocate 15 percent of lottery proceeds for a variety of law enforcement and related programs: No

Measure 63, to exempt certain property owners from building-permit requirements for improvements valued at or under than $35,000: No

Measure 64, to prohibit public entities from using public resources to help collect money for some, but not all, political purposes: No

Measure 65, to overhaul primary elections so that all voters can participate and to have the top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election: Yes

Measure 02-65, a city of Corvallis bond measure to pay for remodeling of the senior center and to fund improvements to city parks: Reluctantly, no.