Initiative Petition 28 Fails Ballot Qualification in Oregon
Initiative Petition 28, also known as the PEACE Act, failed to qualify for the November ballot after falling short of the required signature threshold during verification by the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office, according to state officials. The proposed measure aimed to expand animal cruelty protections across the state by effectively giving all animals the same legal protections currently afforded to dogs and cats, according to its supporters.
Signature Verification Totals and Deadlines
Supporters of the measure submitted 142,784 signatures on July 2, according to the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office. To secure a spot on the November ballot, the campaign needed 117,173 valid and approved signatures. However, the petition failed the first round of signature verification on July 16, and subsequently failed the second verification of a larger group of signatures, according to state records.
Governor Tina Kotek and Lawmakers React to the Petition’s Failure
Governor Tina Kotek expressed relief in a public statement following the failure of Initiative Petition 28 to make the ballot. “I’m relieved IP-28 failed to qualify for the November ballot,” Kotek said, adding that efforts to criminalize hunting and fishing are wrong for the state. Kotek noted that the measure would have done nothing to help Oregonians, calling the outcome a win for tribal leaders, family farmers, ranchers, and residents focused on protecting lands and wildlife.
Republican State Senator Christine Drazan also weighed in on the petition’s failure, warning that similar proposals could return. “The people behind IP 28 will be back, and so will the next extremists with another extreme idea,” Drazan said. She emphasized that Oregon has previously faced costly ballot measures and urged vigilance to protect families, communities, and local businesses from future efforts.
Did you know? Opponents argued the policy would criminalize standard agricultural practices, commercial animal slaughter, recreational fishing, and hunting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main goal of Initiative Petition 28?
According to its supporters, Initiative Petition 28 aimed to expand animal cruelty protections in Oregon by extending the same legal safeguards currently applied to dogs and cats to all animals.
Why did the petition fail to reach the ballot?
The petition failed to secure the necessary 117,173 verified signatures required by the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office, falling short during both the initial and secondary signature verification rounds.
Who opposed the PEACE Act in Oregon?
Opponents of the measure included family farmers, ranchers, tribal leaders, and state officials like Governor Tina Kotek and State Senator Christine Drazan, who argued the policy would criminalize hunting, fishing, and raising animals for food.
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