On December 14, the Coalition for Free & Open Elections (COFOE) submitted this amicus curiae brief in the Oregon Supreme Court, asking the court to hear Bowers v Betschart, S069065. The Lane County, Oregon “Freedom from Aerial Spraying of Herbicides Bill of Rights” initiative would have amended the county charter. Even though the initiative had enough valid signatures (over 11,000) the county election office rejected it because it felt that the measure encompasses different subjects.

The initiative consists of “the right to be free from Chemical Trespass” and “The right to clean air, water, and soil.”

Never before had any Oregon initiative, whether statewide or local, been rejected on such grounds before the actual vote had been held.