Fired Up and Ready to GO! ... Almost

Carla Hanson

LGBT activists have been chomping at the bit to begin the petition drive that will put marriage equality on the ballot in Nov. 2014. More than 5 months after February's submission of 2000 sponsorship signatures, a date was set to start the big signature drive. At June 26 rallies celebrating the SCOTUS Prop. 8 and DOMA decisions, Oregon United for Marriage and Basic Rights Oregon announced July 20 as the date signature gathering would start.

But anti-equality organizations Oregon Family Council & Protect Marriage Oregon have thrown another wrench in the process, and that July 20 date is on hold. OFC/PMO attorney Ross Day has been hard at work, throwing challenges at the Ballot Title and summary, which now sit in the Oregon Supreme Court offices. The Supreme Court has no set timeline to review challenges and comments, so for the short term, Attorney Day has succeeded in his quest to become Oregon's Obstructionist of the Month.

But Day's dalliance with procedural roadblocks has only inspired the leadership and volunteers of Oregon United to shift gears, and they're revving the engine, set to come flying out of the detour with a full throttle Rapid Response.

This is going to be fun. Want to join in?!

Oregon United's Amy Ruiz details the plan:

"As soon as Oregon United for Marriage has petitions in hand, we will email and call our Rapid Response Petition Team members to pick up petitions from locations across the state. Our Rapid Response Petition Team members commit to collecting at least 25 signatures each, within three days of getting petitions.

"That means our new signature gathering launch goal is huge--and achievable! We’re aiming to gather 10,000 signatures in the first 10 days."

This new goal actually doubles the original signature goal of 5000 signatures slated for July 20-21.

Ruiz exudes the confidence and commitment of all the folks at Oregon United, noting that thousands of volunteers have signed up, and despite the minor setback, spirits are extremely high:

"Oregon is poised to be the first state in the nation to overturn a constitutional amendment banning same-sex couples from marriage. It’s Oregon’s turn, and it will take all of us."

How about YOU?

By Carla Hanson July 15, 2013