Oregon GMO labeling goes to recount
Oregon's GMO labeling measure is headed for a recount.
On Nov. 5, votes against Measure 92 outnumbered votes for it by more than 10,000. The gap slowly closed as counties reported their final results.
By 5 p.m. Friday, the deadline for counties to report, opponents had a lead of only 809 votes.
That's much less than the two-tenths of a percentage point needed for an automatic recount.
The state has until Dec. 4 to certify the results, but likely will do so sooner, said Tony Green spokesman for the Oregon Secretary of State.
Kevin Glenn, spokesman for the Yes on 92 campaign, said volunteers will oversee counting at each of Oregon's 36 county election offices.
"It's a huge undertaking because it's a statewide effort," Glenn said. "We're going to do what we can to make sure we're part of the process."
The No on 92 Coalition could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Spokesman Pat McCormick previously said he is confident the recount will result in the measure's defeat.
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The campaign was the most expensive in state history, with nearly $30 million raised by Election Day. It also set a state record for the largest single contribution – a $4.5 million donation from DuPont Pioneer.
The outcome is being watched across the country. Oregon is the fourth state to try to pass a labeling law at the ballot box. Efforts in Washington, California, Colorado, and previously in Oregon all have failed.
"That Measure 92 is headed to a mandatory recount is a huge victory in itself," said Sandeep Kaushik, spokesman for the measure's supporters. "Despite the Yes on Measure 92 campaign being massively outspent by $12 million by the out-of-state chemical companies and food conglomerates that oppose labeling, nearly 750,000 Oregonians saw through the No side's false and cynical scare tactics and stood up for transparency and accountability in our food system."
tloew@statesmanjournal.com, (503) 399-6779 or follow at Twitter.com/SJWatchdog