"Oregon’s
direct primary law, initiative, referendum and recall have been refined
in the fires of opposition and have stood the test. During my term of
office I will zealously guard these laws and combat with every means in
my power any attempt to infringe, subvert, or wrest them from the
people."
- Julius Meier, Independent Governor of Oregon
(1931)
Ben
Westlund wants Oregon’s initiative system to reflect the true efforts of
Oregonians, and be free from out-of-state control and national special-interest
shenanigans.
Out-of-state special interests and big money have targeted Oregon as a place to
push extreme policy because of Oregon’s lax election laws.
Ben's
reforms of the initiative system should come with these objectives in
mind:
Ensure that Oregon signature gatherers
adhere to existing law
Keep out-of-state signature gatherers
accountable to Oregon’s laws
Keep out-of-state money and influence in
the petition process to a minimum
Protect the intentions of the citizens who
legitimately sign a petition
Above all: Encourage grassroots,
citizen-based activism over special-interest campaigns
Ben's Plan
As
Governor, Ben will enforce penalties for those who knowingly break gathering
laws and make initiative sponsors and treasurers personally and financially
responsible for breaches of election law (such as candidates and treasurers are
personally responsible for campaign finance fraud).
Ben will
ensure that out-of-state interests adhere to Oregon’s laws by:
Working with other states to create a
reciprocal system of election laws whereby a violation of one is
punishable under another state’s Fair Business Practices
Mandating that any company involved in
Oregon’s initiative qualification process has at least one Oregonian as
a primary officer
Requiring that petition circulators be
Oregon residents (currently, there is no requirement to be a circulator)
"He's
not in anybody's pocket. I really admire him for having the
courage to stand up for what he believes." Gert Boyle,
Chair, Columbia Sportswear
"Today,
Oregon needs strong leadership. As the parent of a student that
attends public schools, I believe Ben will be a champion for the
students and their future." Elizabeth Blackney,
Bend
"He
is determined to make this place we call Oregon a better place,
for all Oregonians." Ernest Bloch,
Portland
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