The Oregon Supreme Court said Thursday, that 10 Republican State Senators, who staged a Record-long Walkout last year to Stall Bills on Abortion, Transgender Healthcare, and Gun Rights, cannot Run for Re-Election.
The Decision upholds the Secretary of State’s Decision, to Disqualify the Senators from the Ballot, under a Voter-Approved Measure, aimed at Stopping such Boycotts.
Measure 113, passed by Voters in 2022, Amended the State Constitution to Bar Lawmakers from Re-Election, if they have more than 10 Unexcused Absences.
Last year’s Boycott lasted Six weeks, the Longest in State History, and Paralyzed the Legislative Session, stalling Hundreds of Bills.
Five Lawmakers Sued over the Secretary-of-State’s Decision: Sens. Tim Knopp (R-27th District), Daniel Bonham (R-26th District), Suzanne Weber (R-16th District), Dennis Linthicum (R-28th Disrict), and Lynn Findley (R-30th District). They were among the 10 GOP Senators who Racked-Up more than 10 Absences.
“We obviously disagree with the Supreme Court’s ruling," said Knopp, the Chamber’s Minority Leader. "But more importantly, we are deeply disturbed by the chilling impact this decision will have to crush dissent.”
Senate President Rob Wagner (D-19th District) welcomed the Decision. “Today’s ruling by the Oregon Supreme Court means that legislators and the public now know how Measure 113 will be applied, and that is good for our state," He said in a Statement.
During Oral Arguments before the Oregon Supreme Court in December, 2023, Attorneys for the Senators and the State wrestled over the Grammar and Syntax of the Language that was added to the State Constitution after Measure 113 was Approved by Voters.
The Amendment says a Lawmaker is Not allowed to Run “for the term following the election after the member’s current term is completed.”
The Debate concerned when that Ineligibility Kicks-In: If a Senator's Term Ends in January 2025, they would typically seek Re-Election in November 2024. The “election after the member's current term is completed” would Not be until November 2028, the Republican Senators argued, so they could Run for Re-Election this year, and then hold Office for another Term before becoming Ineligible.
The Court Disagreed, saying that while the Language of the Amendment was ambiguous, the Information provided to Voters in the Ballot Title and Explanatory Statement made clear that the Intent was to Bar Truant Lawmakers from Holding Office, in the Next Term.
“Those other materials expressly and uniformly informed voters that the amendment would apply to a legislator’s immediate next terms of office, indicating that the voters so understood and intended that meaning,” the Justices wrote.
The Senators’ Lawsuit was Filed against Secretary-of-State LaVonne Griffin-Valade (D), who last August, said the Boycotting Senators were Disqualified from seeking Re-Election. She directed Her Office’s Elections Division, to Implement an Administrative Rrule based on Her stance.
All Parties in the Suit had sought Clarity on the Iissue, before the March 2024 Filing Deadline for Candidates, who want to run in this year’s Election.
The 2023 wWlkout paralyzed the Legislature for Weeks and only ended, after Republicans forced Concessions from Democrats, on a Sweeping Bill related to Expanding Access to Abortion and Transgender Healthcare, and another Measure regarding the Manufacture and Transfer of Undetectable Firearms, known as Ghost Guns.
Oregon Voters Approved Measure 113 by a Wide Margin, following Republican Walkouts in the Legislature in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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