A coalition in Oregon is advancing a 2026 ballot initiative to amend the state constitution and explicitly protect marriage equality, reproductive access and gender-affirming care. The Equal Rights for All campaign says it needs roughly 156,000 valid signatures by summer 2026 to qualify; organizers are aiming well above that threshold and report early volunteer momentum, according to The Nation.
In 2014—one year before the U.S. Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges ruling—U.S. District Judge Michael McShane struck down Oregon’s ban on same-sex marriage in Geiger v. Kitzhaber. Counties began issuing marriage licenses immediately, and Oregon United for Marriage dropped its planned ballot push. “We are confident that the freedom to marry is secure in Oregon and that we do not need to move forward with the ballot measure,” the group said at the time. (reuters.com)
Despite that ruling, Oregon’s constitution still contains Article XV, section 5a: “It is the policy of Oregon, and its political subdivisions, that only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or legally recognized as a marriage.” (oregonlegislature.gov)
The Equal Rights for All campaign—backed by Basic Rights Oregon, the ACLU of Oregon and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon—seeks to amend the constitution’s equality language to make clear that protections include pregnancy and related health decisions, gender identity and related health care, sexual orientation (including the right to marry), and sex. The measure would also repeal Article XV, section 5a. The proposal is filed with the state as Initiative Petition 33 (IP 33). (aclu-or.org)
To qualify a constitutional amendment for the ballot, campaigns must submit valid signatures equal to 8% of votes cast for governor at the last election—about 156,000 under current thresholds—with petitions due four months before the general election. Organizers say they are aiming for more than 200,000 signatures to ensure a buffer. (sos.oregon.gov)
The Elections Division received IP 33 on June 24, 2024; a certified ballot title followed that September as the campaign moved into public signature gathering. (content.govdelivery.com)
So far, volunteers have collected about 40,000 signatures at events across the state—from Portland Pride to small-town fairs—according to The Nation’s reporting, which quotes campaign organizers describing a volunteer-led start. Campaign event listings show ongoing petition drives and trainings. (thenation.com)
Advocates frame the measure as insurance should federal protections change. “Now we’re seeing there’s more work to be done,” said Gaby Gardiner of Basic Rights Oregon. “The fight isn’t over. We still have marriage defined as a man and our women in [the state] Constitution.” And while “it’s not entirely clear what would happen with marriage equality in Oregon if [Obergefell] were overturned,” communications manager Blair Stenvick said, “our amendment would provide clarity.” (Both statements were reported by The Nation.) (thenation.com)
An earlier attempt to refer a similar amendment from the Legislature—SJR 33, introduced in April 2023 by then–Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber—advanced out of the Senate Rules Committee but stalled as the session ground to a halt during a six‑week Republican walkout over bills involving abortion, transgender health care and guns. (opb.org)
Equal Rights for All organizers say their effort is broader than marriage alone, emphasizing protections that reflect the needs of immigrants, transgender Oregonians and people with disabilities. A 16‑year‑old volunteer described gathering signatures at her local farmers market as “true, tangible change,” The Nation reported. (thenation.com)
