Take Action

Think Before You Ink!

Carefully consider initiative petitions before you sign.

The League of Women Voters of Oregon is encouraging its members and the public to be alert during the circulation of two initiative petitions by Oregonians Against Job-Killing Taxes.  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.

The purpose of the initiative petitions is to refer a vote in a special January election of two measures passed by the Legislature that deal with an increase in corporate taxes and income taxes that affect the top 3% of earners.  You will hear many “sound bites” and opposing viewpoints in the months to come.  You can start by weighing what both sides are saying by looking at their web sites:

• In support of the initiatives – http://www.stopjobkillingtaxes.com/
• In support of the legislative measures - http://www.defendoregon.org/

Here are the things to consider before deciding to sign any initiative petitions:

- Is it complex?  Some issues can be decided by a simple yes or no vote.  Complex issues may need to be thoroughly examined 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 also require amending the Constitution, is cumbersome and costly, and requires another vote of the people.

- 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 in ORESTAR at http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/.

- Before you sign, ask to see identification of a signature gatherer.  Paid signature gathers are required to carry a picture ID issued by the Secretary of State. Although the law does not require a paid petitioner to wear or show the ID when a voter asks, if they do not, then a voter can reasonably refuse to sign a petition. 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.

The League of Women Voters urges you to consider all the facts and
“Think Before You Ink.”

Current Issues
Youth Involvement
Contact Your Elected Officials
Join the LWV Action Committee
LWV Advocacy Positions
LWV Testimony
Legislative Reports
Nonpartisanship Statement
LWV Coalitions
Advocacy and Education