Oregon Public Broadcasting

A union-backed group is questioning the validity of the signatures behind most of the initiatives that could be on Oregon’s November ballot.

The measures deal with issues ranging from merit-based pay for teachers to stricter sentences for property and drug crimes.

Conservative activists are behind all of the initiatives in question.  

The group Our Oregon says the signature sheets don’t comply with procedures designed to prevent forgeries.

But Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury says most of the signatures were submitted before a new round of laws went into effect this year.

Bill Bradbury:  “Most initiatives that Oregon voters are going to vote on this fall got there through practices that are now illegal.  But they weren’t at the time, and so those measures have qualified for the ballot.”

Ten measures could wind up on the ballot.  That’s in addition to four more referred by the Legislature.

Washington voters could be voting on as many as three initiatives, including one that’s based on Oregon’s assisted suicide law.