WHEREAS, the Oregon Constitution, Article XV, 5a states that “only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or legally recognized as a marriage,” and
WHEREAS, transgender people do not have Constitutional protections for gender-affirming health care, and
WHEREAS, reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy are not articulated in the Oregon Constitution, and
WHEREAS, Senate Joint Resolution 33 (SJR 33) of the 2023 Oregon Regular Legislative Session would have referred to Oregon voters the Equal Rights for All (ERA) Constitutional Amendment to protect our fundamental rights and freedoms to control our bodies, lives, and futures – regardless of our sex, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation, and
WHEREAS, upon passage, the ERA would have amended the Oregon Constitution so that every Oregonian would have the freedom to make personal healthcare decisions and the right to access essential healthcare including IVF, contraceptives, abortion and gender affirming care, and
WHEREAS, the ERA would have amended the Oregon Constitution to remove our shameful ban on same-gender marriage, ensuring every Oregonian couple the right to marry if they desire to do so , and
WHEREAS, several counties, including Deschutes, Linn, Multnomah, and Polk Counties, have passed resolutions in support of SJR 33 and the ERA or on relevant subjects since its introduction in 2023, and
WHEREAS, the Oregon Constitution may be amended by ballot measure that is either Legislative Referral or Citizen Initiative, and
WHEREAS, via the original DPO resolution passed on May 21, 2023, the Democratic Party of Oregon was directed by the State Central Committee to take proactive steps to accelerate the endorsement of an ERA ballot measure effort, and work with the LGBTQIA2S+ community inside of the DPO to this end, and
WHEREAS, the ACLU of Oregon, Basic Rights Oregon, the Latino Network, and other ally organizations have commenced an initiative campaign on behalf of the Equal Rights for All Amendment, which is a reintroduction of SJR 33 of 2023, for the the 2026 general election, and
WHEREAS, as of January 27, 2025, the ballot title language has been approved and initiative signature collection is underway,
NOW, THEREFORE, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF OREGON RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Democratic Party of Oregon acknowledges and supports this renewed ballot measure effort on behalf of the Equal Rights for All Constitutional Amendment (IP 33), and
Section 2. The Democratic Party of Oregon will actively and immediately support the current ACLU-led ERA citizen initiative petition effort by:
- direct communication and consultation with the petitioners and relevant DPO Caucuses,
- supporting the petition effort via DPO communications, social media, and other publications,
- encouraging and enabling all DPO Caucuses and county parties to engage with the petition effort,
- offering other resources as practical and available in aid to the petition effort.
Section 3. The Democratic Party of Oregon, upon certification for the ballot, wil, conduct an electronic early ballot measure endorsement vote with the SCC and all associate members, who make up the normal endorsement body for ballot measures.
Section 4. Upon endorsement, the Chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon, in consultation with the Stonewall Caucus Chair, will appoint a special committee to create materials to assist Democratic candidates, coordinated campaigns, and county parties with voter outreach and education regarding the measure
Resolution Submitted by Bret Cecil, Curry County; Co-Sponsored by Nathan Soltz, DPO Secretary; Michael Smith, Gun Owners Caucus; Paul Miller, Crook County; Luke Harkins, Marion County; Kien Truong, DNC Member; Cole Daneman, Jackson County; Mike Gardner, Clackamas County; Jennifer Moore, Union County; Merridy McDaniel, Washington County; Margaret Foley, Multnomah County; Randy Knop, Union County; Malcolm Scott, Multnomah County; Nathan Burroughs, Lane County; Eileen Kiely, DPO VIce Chair; Jeff Denny, Clatsop County; Lupe Preciado-McAlister, Douglas County; Devon Maxwell, Wallowa County; Sami Al-Abdrabbuh, PhD, Education Caucus; Mary Rarick, Multnomah County; KC Hanson, Stonewall Caucus
Adopted 3/16/2025
