Dennis Tuuri

Full PEAPAC Analysis

PEAPAC Explanation: Measures 26 would make it illegal to pay signature gatherers for imitative campaigns. It is part of a multi-pronged effort to get rid of statewide ballot measures. (The intimidating presence of union members at signature gathering sites, the recent lawsuit by the OEA [the teachers union] against Bill Sizemore, and the new tougher signature requirements being used by the Elections Division are all examples of a push by the left to get rid of state-wide ballot measures.)

PEAPAC Recommendation: This Measure does not seek new and stronger punishment of those who forge signatures on initiative petitions. If it did, we might support it. But we oppose it, since its end result is a reduction of freedoms not forgeries. It is another intrusion of the over-reaching civil state into the free market. We urge a NO vote on Measure 26.

PEAPAC Commentary: To get a measure on the ballot, you need to get signatures. To get them, some people currently pay signature-gatherers. This Measure would continue to allow this practice, but would make it illegal to pay them by the number of signatures they get. We oppose this Measure, and ask you to vote No. It would be one thing to completely prohibit paying signature-gatherers. But if we allow the paying of signature-gatherers, we should let the free market determine the most effective means of getting this legitimate job done. This Measure would not prohibit paying signature-gatherers. It would only prohibit a particular method of paying them.

This is wrong in principle, since according to Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2, the civil magistrate’s job is to punish criminals, not to set wages or how these wages are paid. God has given us the freedom of the marketplace to determine the most effective means of getting any legitimate job done. The parable of the workers in the vineyard asserts the right of the owner to set the sort of wages he will pay (Matthew 20:4). The State clearly has a compelling interest in punishing those who would forge signatures on government documents. But this measure does not increase penalties for forgery. Its passage will not result in less forged signatures, but less freedom. We believe the gathering of signatures for initiatives lies properly in the private sector. The free market will be the most effective means to accomplish the goals of the initiative process. We see no compelling reason for the State to mandate to the marketplace which methods to collect signatures. Lying behind this Measure, we see a desire to diminish or eliminate the citizen initiative in Oregon, an outcome with which we do not concur. The initiative process is providing a sort of check and balance that is needed in our time of collectivism in both conservative and liberal circles.