Have you noticed that more and more corporations are contributing to politics? Specifically how the Citizens United ruling has since hurt the citizens with billions flowing into each election cycle? Well now we have a fix thanks to Hawaii and Montana. On its face the fix is simple: each state currently has the right to define the agency a corporation has. We must now have the state of Oregon define all corporations as an entity that does not have the right to contribute to political campaigns or policies. This simple definition change should prevent the insane lobbying that has come since the Citizens United ruling. It is not a fix all, as individuals would still be able to donate to super PACs but it would make those donations more transparent.
So what do we do to accomplish this? We make a ballot initiative.
This is where I need your help. Please write a letter (sample below) and send to:
Legislative Council
900 Court St.
NE, S-101, Salem OR 97301
Hello,
I would like a ballot initiative draft legislation that would redefine Oregon corporations as agents that are not allowed to spend on political campaigns, policies, or PACs.
I would like to see this petition based on the recently signed Hawaiian law SB2471 and the Montana petition I-194.
The Center for American Progress has a really good article on the subject titled “The corporate power reset that makes citizens united irrelevant.” The article talks about the background thinking, potential legal challenges, and some ways to avoid issues when drafting an initiative for our state. It concludes that we can do it and voters like me have the desire to rid corporate spending from our elections.
Please sign with your name and address so you can be verified as a citizen.
Jonathan Doeandeer
8675 Threeonine Ln.
References:
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2471&year=2026
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2471_CD2_.pdf
https://sosmt.gov/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?juwpfisadmin=false&action=wpfd&wpfd_category_id=139&wpfd_file_id=73640&preview=1
https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-corporate-power-reset-that-makes-citizens-united-irrelevant/
End of sample message.
Our goal would be to get this on the 2028 ballot and the more letters we submit on this the better.
I am requesting to have the Legislative Council draft this initiative because it is important to remove corporate influence, we expect those with money will challenge it, and we want to get it right the first time.
Thank you for your help on this. If you have sent a letter please let us know with the form below so we may gaige how long to run this campaign.