A proposed ballot measure that would criminalize a wide range of animal uses — including hunting, fishing, breeding livestock and routine trapping — failed an initial test of voter signatures, state election officials said, but the campaign’s organizers say the effort is not finished.
What the first review found
The petition, known as Initiative Petition 28, submitted roughly 140,000 signatures to the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office. In a small random sample taken as part of the office’s verification process, about 80% of signatures were deemed valid. If that rate holds across all submitted petitions, the initiative would fall short of the roughly 117,000 verified signatures required to earn a spot on the November ballot.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Signatures submitted | ~140,000 |
| Signatures required | ~117,000 |
| Valid rate in initial sample | 80% |
Secretary of State spokesperson Connor Radnovich confirmed a larger, statewide signature review is underway but said he could not provide a timeline for when results will be released. State law requires a random sampling process to estimate overall validity; campaigns commonly submit a cushion of extra signatures to account for those that are invalidated.
Campaign context and reaction
The measure’s backers describe their approach as incremental. David Michelson, one of the petition sponsors, framed the effort as part of a longer campaign to build public support over multiple election cycles.
"This is our third attempt to get on the ballot. We got 2,000 signatures the first time, then about 40,000 signatures the second time, and now 140,000 signatures. So each time we are growing in our support."
Despite the organizers’ optimism about gradual growth, the initiative has alarmed a range of stakeholders. If approved by voters, the measure would ban many practices that are central to Oregon’s agricultural economy and outdoor traditions. The campaign text would outlaw dairies, egg farms and livestock breeding, prohibit the use of mouse and rat traps and make hunting, fishing and slaughter of livestock a crime.
- Agriculture impact: The measure targets practices core to dairy and livestock operations.
- Rural and recreation stakes: Hunting and fishing, long part of Oregon’s cultural and economic fabric, would be affected.
- Ballot path uncertain: The state’s full signature check will determine whether the initiative reaches voters this fall.
What comes next
If the larger signature review produces a higher validity rate than the initial sample, IP 28 could still qualify for the ballot. Historically, groups seeking ballot placement submit substantial surpluses of signatures — often more than 160,000 — to provide a buffer against invalidations. By contrast, the petition’s roughly 140,000 signatures put it on the lower end of typical campaign cushions, a reality the campaign acknowledges.
Whether or not IP 28 reaches the ballot, the debate it has provoked highlights growing tensions in Oregon between animal-rights advocacy and industries that rely on livestock, trapping and outdoor recreation. Backers have said they do not expect immediate voter approval but view each signature drive as building political momentum for future efforts.
The Secretary of State’s office will publish the results of the full verification once that process is complete. Until then, advocates on both sides are preparing for a possible fall campaign that could reshape conversations about agriculture and outdoor life in Oregon for years to come.
