Heated testimony on SJR 30 over raising initiative signature thresholds and adding district distribution

Summary

A proposed constitutional referral, SJR 30, would raise signature percentages for statutory and constitutional initiatives and require equal signature distribution across congressional districts; supporters said it would broaden geographic participation, opponents said it would raise cost barriers and limit grassroots access.

The Senate Rules Committee held a lengthy public hearing on Senate Joint Resolution 30, a proposed constitutional referral that would raise signature thresholds for initiatives and require signatures be gathered equally across Oregon’s congressional districts.

Under the proposal, the percentage of votes required for statutory initiative petitions would increase from 6% to not less than 8% of the total votes cast for governor when that governor was elected; constitutional amendments would move from 8% to not less than 10%. Both provisions would require that signatures be divided equally among Oregon’s congressional districts. If referred by the legislature, the resolution would go to voters at the next regular statewide general election.

Supporters from rural counties and several interest groups said the change would broaden…

Heated testimony on SJR 30 over raising initiative signature thresholds and adding district distribution

Summary

Subscribe to keep reading