Breaking: Portland Public Campaigns Repeal Officially Fails

Multnomah County Director of Elections John Kaufman has returned the results of their audit, regarding the petition to repeal "voter-owned elections," public financing of Portland City Council and Auditor campaigns.

Na ga da:

On February 16, 2006 the Auditor received a certification from John Kaufman, Director of Elections for Multnomah County indicating that the results of the random sample of signatures show that the petition does not contain the required 26,691 valid signatures to qualify for placement on the ballot.

Certification of Signature Verification Process Completion (PDF document, 53kb)

More later on implications, possibilities, and a discussion with Kaufman earlier today. But for now, if you're a VOE supporter this is champagne-type news.

--TJ