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Oregon Same-Sex Marriage Referendum (2012)
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| This measure was not put on an election ballot |
An Oregon Same-Sex Marriage Referendum did not make the November 2012 statewide ballot.[1]
Oregon does not currently allow same-sex marriage, however, Basic Rights Oregon said they were considering moving forward with an initiative for 2012 to overturn the 2004 ban on same-sex marriage and legalize it through out the state.[2][3][4]
Oregon Family Council co-founder Tim Nashif, who supported and ran the 2004 campaign for Measure 36, opposed the proposed measure to overturn the 2004 measure.[5]
The measure was not officially filed.[5][6] On November 9, 2011 Basic Rights Oregon announced that they were dropping their efforts for a ballot measure for the 2012 ballot. In a statement the group said, "We have considered the possibility of putting this issue on the ballot for the 2012 election. However several factors, including the expense of waging a statewide political campaign in the midst of an economic crisis, led us to conclude that [we] are better off extending our education campaign and building momentum for a later election."[7][8][9]
In response to efforts being dropped Oregon Family Council, supporters of the 2004 measure, said in part, "For more than a year the Oregon Family Council has been preparing to defend Oregon’s constitutional definition of marriage. We are relieved that Basic Rights has postponed their effort to redefine marriage, but the operative word is 'postponed.' They’ve made it clear in their press release and other public statements that a battle to change marriage is coming. Therefore we will remain vigilant in our efforts to educate Oregonians about the importance of protecting marriage and the impact that redefining marriage can have on society."[10]
Background
- See also: Oregon Marriage Measure 36 (2004)
Measure 36 appeared on the November 2, 2004 state ballot as an initiated constitutional amendment and was approved by voters. The measure added to the Oregon Constitution a statement of policy that only a marriage between one man and one woman is valid or legally recognized as a marriage. The proposed 2012 measure would have aimed to overturn the measure.
Polls
- See also: Polls, 2012 ballot measures
- An April 22-27, 2011 poll was commissioned by the Oregon Family Council and conducted by Hoffman Research Group, opponents of the proposed measure. A total of 660 registered voters were surveyed. The study had a margin of error of +/- 3.8%. The poll revealed that an estimated 45% were in favor of a repeal of the 2004 measure, while 50% were opposed to a repeal and 5% were undecided.[11]
- A June 19-21, 2011 poll by Public Policy Polling revealed that 48% support same-sex marriage, while 42% are opposed. An estimated 11% were undecided. A total of 701 registered voters were surveyed. The poll had a margin of error of +/-3.7%.[12]
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| Date of Poll | Pollster | In favor | Opposed | Undecided | Number polled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 22-27 | Hoffman Research Group | 45% | 50% | 5% | 660 |
| June 19-21 | Public Policy Polling | 48% | 42% | 11% | 710 |
Path to the ballot
- See also: Oregon signature requirements
In order to qualify for the ballot, supporters were required to collect a minimum of 58,142 valid signatures by July 6, 2012. However, on November 9, 2011 supporters announced that they would no longer pursue an effort for the 2012 ballot.
See also
Related measure
Articles
- Basic Rights Oregon drops 2012 referendum efforts to overturn same-sex marriage ban
- Basic Rights Oregon considers 2012 marriage measure
- Oregon campaign launches to overturn same-sex marriage ban
Additional reading
- The Register-Guard, "Group eyes gay marriage vote," October 16, 2011
- Towleroad.com,Oregon Gay Activists Gearing Up For 2012 Ballot Fight," August 15, 2011
- The Statesman Journal, "Oregon gay-rights supporters aim for 2012 marriage vote," August 14, 2011
Editorials
Footnotes
- ↑ " Care2.com, "Oregon May Take Same-Sex Marriage to the Polls," August 16, 2011 (dead link)
- ↑ SheWired.com, "Oregon Launches Campaign to Repeal Gay Marriage Ban," November 3, 2009 (dead link)
- ↑ KEZI, "Basic Rights Oregon Pushes for Gay Marriage," accessed November 9, 2009
- ↑ The Oregonian, "Maine vote on gay marriage informs Oregon strategy," November 6, 2009
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 The Oregonian, "Oregon gay marriage opponents seek to discourage 2012 ballot measure," June 28, 2011
- ↑ The American Independent, "Oregon group considers using ballot to legalize same-sex marriage," October 17, 2011
- ↑ Justout.com, "BREAKING: BRO Will Not Move Forward with Gay Marriage Ballot Initiative in 2012," November 9, 2011
- ↑ Basic Rights Oregon, "We are Committed to Winning the Freedom to Marry," November 9, 2011
- ↑ KEZI, "Same-Sex Marriage Initiative Nixed for 2012," November 15, 2011
- ↑ The Statesman Journal, "Oregon Family Council responds to Basic Rights Oregon," November 10, 2011
- ↑ Oregon Family Council, "Survey Finds Oregonians Would Protect Constitutional Definition of Marriage," June 27, 2011
- ↑ Public Policy Polling, "Oregon in favor of legal gay marriage, Kitzhaber Solid," June 24, 2011
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