2002 Oregon Ballot Measure 27

Failed ballot initiative on GMO labeling Ballot Measure 27 of 2002 would have required the mandatory labelling of all genetically modified food sold in the U.S. state of Oregon. The measure was defeated in the November 5, 2002 general election with 371,851 votes in favor, 886,806 votes against.Oregon Blue Book - Initiative, Referendum and Recall https://sos.oregon.gov/blue-book/Documents/elections/initiative.pdf State of Oregon Secretary of State 26 2018-11-21 2025-10-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20251003191748/https://sos.oregon.gov/blue-book/Documents/elections/initiative.pdf dead The measure was placed on the ballot as a result of initiative petition. Proponents of the measure argued that "Oregonians should have the right to know what they are eating." They repeated the belief of some activists that genetic engineering of food poses a potential threat to health and safety. (See genetically modified food.) Proponents also ridiculed the cost estimates of the law brought by the measure's opponents.Official 2002 General Election Voters' Pamphlet-General Information https://digital.osl.state.or.us/islandora/object/osl:64366/datastream/OBJ/view Oregon Secretary of State Proponents hoped that an Oregon labeling law would spark debate about the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and eventually a nationwide labelling system.July 2026 Opponents argued that Oregon's agricultural industry would be burdened by excessive costs if the measure were to pass, given the lack of such a requirement throughout the rest of the United States. In addition, opponents claimed there was little evidence that GMO foods posed a danger to human health. Monsanto Company, an agricultural company whose products account for 70% of the GMO market, donated $1.5 million to the effort against the measure.Lehmann Gretchen Big money weighs in on Oregon Ballot Measures http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/opb/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=412541 OPB news https://web.archive.org/web/20070929130542/http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/opb/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=412541 September 29, 2007 Portland, Oregon October 29, 2002 dead Overall, opponents spent $5.5 million, tying an Oregon spending record. Measure 27 died in big-dollar blitz Michelle Cole The Oregonian November 10, 2002 http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:ORGB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F744572EF85ED68&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D10F2CADB4B24C0 thumb|260px|Results by county: #dedebd No #dedebd 50–60% #BCBC83 60–70% #8B8B54 70–80% #5D5D2D 80–90% See also List of Oregon ballot measures California Proposition 37 (2012) References External links Oregon Voters' Pamphlet – Measure 27 page 116 – includes ballot title, text of the measure, and arguments for and against Letter from Consumers' Union supporting Measure 27 Category:2002 Oregon ballot measures Category:Initiatives in the United States