Oregon Initiative Petition 28 Fails to Qualify for November Ballot

Initiative Petition 28, a voter‑driven measure backed by vegan advocates to expand Oregon's animal‑cruelty laws and ban most killing of animals—including hunting, fishing, livestock farming and animal research—did not gather enough valid signatures to appear on the November 3, 2026 general‑election ballot. State officials required 117,173 valid signatures (6 % of the last gubernatorial vote) but, after two statistical checks, confirmed only 104,262 valid signatures, about 73 % of the total submitted, short of the 75 % threshold needed.

The failure was widely welcomed by Oregon’s farming, ranching, fishing sectors, state legislators from both parties, and federally recognized tribes whose treaty‑protected hunting and fishing rights would have been affected. The Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and the Oregon Farm Bureau praised the outcome, calling it a relief for hunters, anglers, ranchers and outdoor enthusiasts. The initiative will not be on the November ballot, ending the immediate threat of the sweeping animal‑rights ban.