The League of Women Voters of Oregon (LWVOR) is encouraging its
members and the public to be cautious when asked to sign an
initiative petition. Voters may be asked to sign a variety of
initiative petitions "just to get it on the ballot so people can
vote on it."
The League is telling voters, "Your signature is valuable, more
valuable than your vote, considering that far fewer signatures are
required to qualify a petition for the ballot than votes to pass it
on the ballot. Only sign an initiative petition that you believe
belongs on the ballot."
LWVOR lists six questions voters can ask themselves to help them
determine whether or not to sign an initiative petition:
Is it complex? Some issues can be decided by a simple yes
or no vote. Complex issues may need to be thoroughly examined and
debated in a legislative arena.
Is it confusing? Some initiatives are not well written or
contain conflicts that may require court resolution or
interpretation.
Does it belong in the Constitution? If an initiative
amends the Constitution, consider whether it really belongs there.
Is it a fundamental law that should be protected from change?
Correcting a constitutional amendment later would require another
vote of the people to amend the Constitution again, which is
cumbersome and costly.
How will it be funded? Is it an "unfunded mandate" that
would require the Legislature to take funds from other essential
programs? Consider the effect on the overall flexibility of a
government budget with already limited revenue. An initiative
should generally create its own revenue source and not earmark,
restrict, or obligate a specific percentage of the General Fund
revenues.
Who is behind it? You can find out who are the real
sponsors and opponents of a petition. Contribution and expenditure
reports are available through the Election Division at 503-986-1518
and are also online at
http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/.
Before you sign, ask to see identification of the
signature gatherer. Paid signature gatherers are now required to
carry and display a picture ID issued by the Secretary of State.
Numerous instances of fraud have occurred that could have been
avoided by insisting on seeing identification. And if a case of
fraud is found, you will have information that could assist
authorities.
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