Federal Judge Denies Immediate Recount for Portland Police Ballot Initiative
A federal judge in Oregon has denied an immediate recount for a ballot measure that aimed to divert money from Portland's climate fund to local police. The initiative, led by the 'Safer Portland' campaign, failed to meet the 40,437-signature minimum required to qualify for the November ballot, as ruled by Portland elections officials on August 4. Safer Portland subsequently sued, alleging discrimination and requesting an emergency recount of the signatures. However, U.S. District Judge Michael Simon denied these requests, stating that the initiative's supporters lacked evidence that Portland elections workers deviated from state election laws. Deborah Scroggin, who manages Portland's elections division, viewed the decision as a vindication, asserting that Portland City Elections followed the law and accurately reported the result. 
