Legislative Coalition Asks Secretary of State, AG to Use Original Ballot Language for Measure Two

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 9th, 2008                                  Contact: Dustin Gawrylow, (701) 223-9887

Legislative Coalition Asks Secretary of State, AG to Use Original Ballot Language for Measure Two

Bi-partisan coalition calls on Secretary of State and Attorney General to place measure language on ballot as it was initially approved by the Attorney General for the petition in July 2007

Legislators agree to sponsor legislation to administratively correct errors in Measure Two upon Approval by North Dakota voters.

Bismarck, N.D. – Today, a bi-partisan coalition of state legislators have agreed to ask the Secretary of State and Attorney General to place Measure Two on the ballot just as it was approved, by them, for circulation on the petition in July of 2007. 

The following legislators have agreed to sponsor legislation next session to correct the typographical errors in the detailed bill language and ask that the official ballot language remain as it was approved by both the Secretary of State and Attorney General in July of 2007. 

Participation in this coalition DOES NOT express or imply support for Measure Two.

Participants believe that the system must be fair and equitable to the measure’s sponsoring committee, and reflect the language that was placed on the front page of the petitions that people signed.

 Participants also believe the ballot language as initially approved and presented on the front page of the petition will preserve the integrity of the initiative process.

 

Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem (R-Bismarck)
Representative Blair Thoreson (R-Fargo)
Representative Dave Weiler (R-Bismarck)
Representative Dan Ruby (R-Minot)

Senate Minority Leader David O’Connell (D-Langford)
Senator Arthur Behm (D-Niagara)

 

“We thank these legislators for standing up for what is right for the private citizens, the petition signers, the voters, and the process itself.  Some of these legislators oppose this measure, but understand that the process, and the public’s trust in the process, is what is important” AFP-ND state policy director Dustin Gawrylow said.

###