Oregon Public Broadcasting

Supporters of the measure to change Oregon’s primary system, threatened legal action Thursday to stop opponents linking the measure with Bill Sizemore.   Kristian Foden-Vencil explains.

Measure 65 would replace the current party-based primary system. Instead, the two candidates who get the most votes – regardless of party – would go on to the general election. 

The Oregon Education Association recently sent out a mailer urging people to quote: "Vote No on Bill Sizemore’s Measures." It then listed measures 58 through 65.

Former Secretary of State Phil Keisling, the chief sponsor of 65, say it's well known that Sizemore has absolutely nothing to do with Measure 65.

Keisling: "In my 20 years of reporting on and serving in elected office, this is about as deliberate and blatant a lie as I have seen in that time."

Linking Sizemore to a measure ensures opposition from union members, who’ve been battling him for years.  

A spokeswoman from the Oregon Education Association says they were not trying to mislead members, and that they’re sophisticated enough to know which measures come from Sizemore and which don’t. Kristian Foden-Vencil, OPB News.