On November 2, 2004, 57 percent of Oregon voters voted in favor of Measure 36, a constitutional amendment that recognizes marriage as the union of one man and one woman only.
This was a critical measure, a significant step in protecting marriage. Nevertheless, this amendment did not stop advocates of the homosexual legal agenda, who have been working around the clock ever since to reverse the expressed will of the people. Last year, the activists found an ally when the Oregon State Legislature enacted HB 2007 – creating domestic partnerships and granting same-sex couples the benefits of marriage, under a different name. Recognizing this as an attack on marriage, Oregon citizens stood together and said "no" and Referendum 303 was created, which – if placed on the November 2008 ballot – would provide voters with an opportunity to repeal this unwanted bill (originally scheduled to take effect in January of this year).
When the referendum was submitted to the Oregon Secretary of State on September 26, signatures exceeded the required number by
more than 6,000. However, the Secretary of State announced there were not enough signatures to sustain the referendum. The evaluated "sample" was said to be only
five signatures short. Though a surprising development, a very clear explanation soon became apparent – many of the signatures were wrongfully rejected. In a further violation of the people's rights, the officials in charge of validating the signatures ended the process after only 12 days. They did this in spite of the fact that a provision in the Oregon Constitution – which the office itself had lobbied for – allowed them 30 days to contact signers in an attempt to verify signatures' authenticity. Simply put . . . registered voters were denied the most basic constitutional protections that our country provides to everyone.
ADF filed a lawsuit on behalf of disenfranchised voters and on December 28, 2007, a federal judge issued an order preventing this counterfeit "marriage" law from going into effect while the lawsuit goes forward. Tomorrow, a hearing will be held to determine the future of Referendum 303, and possibly the future of marriage in Oregon.
If the judge issues a ruling in our favor, it will enable voters to decide in November whether or not this counterfeit marriage bill belongs in the law.
And when the people have been allowed to vote on marriage, they have overwhelming recognized that it is the union of one man and one woman. A ruling against Oregon voters would immediately establish HB 2007 as law, and civil unions would become legal in Oregon. This counterfeit construction of "marriage" would be a severe blow to the preservation of marriage and the family, and advocates would no doubt attempt to duplicate this model in other states.
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Join ADF in defending your rights by giving your gift online today. Your support is critical for defending marriage in Oregon and religious freedom throughout the country. Click here to give your generous donation online today!
We need your prayers
Please pray for ADF Attorney Austin R. Nimocks, as he argues for your right to vote and for the future of marriage in your state. Ask God to grant us a favorable decision that will empower Oregonians to defend marriage by voting for Referendum 303 in November.
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