Why I'm Voting NO on Measure 43

As Democrats, we urge you to vote No on Measure 43. This dangerous and complicated ballot measure will put at risk teens at even greater danger and won't work in the real world. The real agenda behind Measure 43 is about chipping away at a woman's right to choose. We have a different agenda in Oregon -- one that protects the health and safety of all Oregonians. Please join us in Voting NO on Measure 43!

Governor Ted Kulongoski: "I’m against Measure 43 because it is designed to chip away at a woman’s right to choose and does nothing protect vulnerable teens from violence and abuse."




Former Governor Barbara Roberts: "As a mother, grandmother and your former Governor, I know that a teen faced with a crisis pregnancy, needs support. But, Measure 43 takes away the help of doctors, nurses and counselors and leaves many teens all alone. Measure 43 is not safe for Oregon teens, I’m voting No."

Senator Ron Wyden: I'm voting No on 43, and I urge you to join me in opposing this dangerous and complicated ballot measure. As a father, I know the importance of good family communication, but I realize that not all teens come from loving and stable homes. We must protect those teens who live in households that are marred by violence, neglect or drug abuse. For abused young people, a certified letter being sent to their homes, and possibly into the hands of an abuser, could be dangerous or even tragic.

I'm proud to be an Oregonian for so many reasons. We have a long tradition of being independent thinkers who understand that there are some areas of our lives where government intrusion just doesn't belong. Over and over again, Oregonians have rejected attempts to put personal, private and medical decisions into the hands of government. We should do that once by saying no to Measure 43. Measure 43, backed and funded by the far right, is part of a national agenda to restrict a woman's right to choose. Our agenda in Oregon is a different one. We are committed to keeping this a safe place for all Oregonians, especially the most vulnerable among us.

Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy: I have dedicated myself, through my work and my personal life to keeping young people safe, and that is why I am voting no on Measure 43. Teens faced with a pregnancy need help; they need support and guidance from caring adults. And those teens living in abusive homes need even greater protection; unfortunately measure 43 would put those teens at greater risk by forcing a certified letter be sent to their homes, and possibly directly to the very person causing the abuse.

We all want to encourage good family communication, but this measure is not the answer. Instead, measure 43, supported by the far right, is part of a national agenda toward restricting women’s right to choose -- putting vulnerable teens at risk in the process. Please, join me in voting No on Measure 43.

Diana: My name is Diana and I'm voting no on Measure 43. I know from first hand experience that some teens can't talk to their parents about an unplanned pregnancy because of abuse or violence in the home. I was one of those teens. When I was 18 years old, I found out I was pregnant. My father had abused me for years; because he was a policeman, there was no where I could turn for help. I had an abortion. When my father found out, he pinned me down on the floor and punched me in the head repeatedly. I'm voting against Measure 43 because I know what it's like to be an abused teen -- I know the terror they face. Measure 43 will put other teens in danger, and I don’t want anyone else to go through what I went through.

Congressman Earl Blumenauer
State Treasurer Randall Edwards
Labor Commissioner Dan Gardner
Mayor Tom Potter
Representative Jeff Merkley
Representative Brad Avakian
Representative Jackie Dingfelder
Representative Paul Holvey
Representative Sara Gelser
Representative Peter Buckley
Representative Carolyn Tomei
Representative Diane Rosenbaum
Representative Phil Barnhart
Representative Greg Macpherson
Representative Mitch Greenlick
Senate Majority Leader Kate Brown
Former Senator Cliff Trow
Senator Ginny Burdick
Senator Richard Devlin
Tina Kotek