From the Secretary of State:

SALEM - Today the Elections Division of the Secretary of States Office announced verification of signatures for referendum petition #304 submitted for the November 4, 2008 General Election ballot has been completed.

The result of the signature verification is referendum #304 did not contain enough valid signatures to qualify to the ballot. Referendum #304 was filed on SB 2 passed by the 2007 Oregon Legislature.

This proposed referendum required 55,179 valid signatures to gain ballot access. The referendum contains 53,875 valid signatures, or 90.15% of the 59,761 total unverified signatures submitted for verification.

We’ll be making some announcements here in the coming week about our plans for the future. As we have said, if these did not qualify we would not be posting the names and addresses for numerous reasons, above all it would provide opposition groups with a database of contacts for a repeal attempt that they have been discussing.

Stay tuned.

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Stay tuned.

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We just got wind that anti-gay groups have FAILED to meet the minimum requirement of 55,179 signatures needed to force a public vote on Oregon’s Domestic Partnership law. They missed the threshold by 116 signatures. We’re still waiting for word on the Anti-Discrimination law.

For more visit Gay Rights Watch.

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So what now? The verification process has begun. If they qualify our side will be voting YES to keep the laws.

Obviously our hope would be that they in fact do not qualify for the ballot - although they have already announced plans for an initiative that would be on the 2008 ballot should these ones not qualify.

How would the initiative process work?
Anti-gay groups would have until July 3rd, 2008 to collect just over 82,000 signatures. If successful, it would be put on the November 2008 ballot. The difference this time is that our side would be voting NO against the repeal.

We’ll keep you updated on the verification process as we learn more. We cannot stress the importance of donations. Without about $3000, we will not be able to afford to make all of the copies at the Secretary of State’s office.

Please help us raise these essential funds. Please click here to give what you can, even if it is $20. Everything will help us reach our goal.

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Help us prepare for this massive task. If you believe that Oregonians should be responsible for their actions, please consider making a contribution today. Click here and give.

We cannot do this without your financial assistance.

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What’s the problem you ask? They are in fact not a PAC (Political Action Committee), yet they are calling themselves a PAC and therefore have been misleading donors and using illegal tactics to fundraise. This means that each and every donor who is going to claim their donation as an Oregon Political Tax Credit, could also potentially get in trouble with the Oregon Department of Revenue come tax time.

“Concerned Oregonians” has been getting assistance from Donna Butler, a long-time accountant and treasurer for Republican candidates and conservative causes who herself has seen her fair share of fines, violations and shady dealings–but now this?

The complaint also notes that Concerned Oregonians claims to be a co-sponsor of the referenda, and is collecting donations based upon that assertion, when it is not, which is also against the law.

Here is a link to a copy of the complaint filed this week.

Will the groups continue to break the law by misrepresenting themselves to voters and using false information to solicit campaign contributions?

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But if you are going to take advantage of the benefits of democracy, you must also assume the responsibilities.

That means if you don’t feel strongly enough about a petition to sign it publicly, then you shouldn’t sign it! That tension you feel over knowing that your signature will be public is intended. It’s what makes a petition have value. It’s part of the normal system of checks and balances that underlies our form of government.

Should your state senator be allowed to sponsor legislation in secret? Of course not. Then why should you?

And let’s be honest. It’s the petition sponsors and those signing who are doing the intimidating here. If you try to deny basic rights and protections to gay individuals, couples, and their children… don’t those people have a right, if not an obligation, to do everything they can within the law to protect their families? Wouldn’t you want to protect your family?

This list of names is being compiled by the petition sponsors and those signing. Through the petition, they are asking to be recognized publicly for their stance against basic rights and protections for Oregon families. If you are not willing to take on the responsibility of a being a signer, don’t sign. And if you do sign… don’t whine. Just be responsible.

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To give you an example of one of these emails:

[I] have been Patiently waiting for hunting season to try out my new high powered rifle on a live target.

As Know Thy Neighbor Oregon forges on, we want to remind people of this part of our mission:
KnowThyNeighborOregon.com hopes to inspire respectful, civil, and honest community discourse and discourages with its fullest conviction the actions by anyone to harm a person or their property in retribution for exercising their democratic right to sign the petition.

You can read more about the project, our goals and mission on the about page.

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Their email said…

“[in] order to complete the first and most important phase of our efforts to deliver Oregonians from two of the most culturally devastating bills in American history!”

First, David Crowe at “Restore America” is completely out of touch with reality, severely misleading Oregonians and has obviously never taken a high school history class.

David Crowe, it is frightening to think you sincerely believe the poison that you’ve put forth. However, the filth that you spew is disingenuous, deceitful and distinctly hypocritical and you know this. You take the facts to suit divisive cause to advance your hateful agenda.

For instance, you made the following statement that is offensive to any fair-minded Oregonian:

“[a]cceptance of special rights for homosexuals and those who claim gender confusion as an excuse for sexual exploitation of women and children … all without our permission!”

Absurd, preposterous and downright deceitful.

We need you financial assistance to make our effort possible. Please donate today - we cannot do this without you.

Please help us accomplish our mission of protecting families and the rights of ALL Oregonians.

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Sadly, she strongly opposes these efforts to protect ALL Oregon families, despite what she might call her pro-family stance and it is more than shameful.

Below we deconstruct her misguided viewpoint.

Victoria says:

“Now this group’s aim is to use blackmail, if you will, to discourage people from signing a petition to call for another vote on these two issues that Oregonians have already voted on and decided (but which the legislature overturned).”

The Truth:
No Victoria, neither of these issues have been voted on in Oregon. That is a complete fabrication to further your cause and only goes to show that you take your marriage for granted - as domestic partnerships only offer 1/3 of the rights, responsibilities and protections afforded to your family.

What we ARE talking about here is a new law that protects Oregonians, regardless of their sexuality (yes, gay or straight) from being fired from their job SIMPLY for their sexual orientation.

What the domestic partnership law does is lets same-sex couples go to the county courthouse, sign a legal contract with one another and then it grants them such rights and responsibilities as end of life decisions, hospital visitation, bereavement leave, the ability to share health and auto insurance etc. BASIC Victoria. Basic.

Victoria then compares gay and lesbians to the “Klan”:
Besides being a tasteless comparison, the KKK has a long history of killing gay and lesbian people.

Victoria says:
;…Homosexual rights clan (klan?) now have lowered themselves to threatening people who disagree with them.”

THE TRUTH:
By you supporting this petition drive to overturn Oregon law that ensures families are able to protect one another in times of crisis is an all time low. The signature gathering effort to overturn these laws in a blatant threat from the extreme-right to those who do not agree with them.

(more…)

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