Story Published:
Aug 14, 2008 at 11:55 AM PDT
Story Updated:
Nov 21, 2008 at 12:38 AM PDT
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A federal appeals court has rejected a challenge to the Oregon domestic partnership law approved by the Legislature last year.
Opponents had tried to collect enough initiative signatures to put the issue to a statewide vote. But Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury ruled they did not get enough.
His ruling was challenged in federal court, but a judge upheld Bradbury's decision.
On Thursday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals also affirmed the secretary of state's ruling.
The ruling also supports the statistical sampling method of checking initiative petitions to make sure enough valid signatures have been submitted.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)