David Michelson's Initiative Petition 28 fails to make the Oregon ballot after failing to secure enough valid signatures.

The Oregon Secretary of State's Office announced that Initiative Petition 28 will not appear on the November ballot after failing to meet the required signature threshold. While backers submitted over 142,000 signatures, officials determined that only 104,262 were valid, falling short of the 117,173 needed to qualify. The proposal, led by David Michelson, sought to criminalize hunting, fishing, and livestock production by classifying the killing of any animal as animal abuse unless done for self-defense. The measure faced widespread opposition from the Oregon Farm Bureau, hunting groups, and tribal leaders, who argued it would have made criminals out of law-abiding citizens and increased food costs. Governor Tina Kotek expressed relief over the decision, stating that criminalizing traditional outdoor activities would be wrong for the state. Republican candidate Christine Drazan also criticized the measure as an extreme idea. Despite the setback, David Michelson confirmed that supporters intend to pursue the initiative in future election cycles.

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