Authorities investigate signature gathering for a petition to repeal Oregon’s sanctuary law.

Critics say group deceived voters with petitions; probe underway

SALEM, Ore. — A conservative group is taking aim at the nation’s oldest statewide sanctuary law, with a drive to repeal a 31-year-old Oregon mandate limiting police coordination on immigration arrests.

But critics say hate groups are funding the effort to abolish the law and allege paid signature-gatherers deceived voters during a canvassing push earlier this year.

State law enforcement authorities have opened at least one investigation into the signature-gatherers, and opponents have filed a complaint questioning whether the behavior was part of a coordinated effort to mislead voters.

Representatives for the group behind the petition, the Repeal Oregon Sanctuary Law Committee, did not respond to calls or emails seeking comment.

With help from anti-sanctuary groups, a trio of Republican state legislators from rural parts of the state sponsored an initiative to repeal Oregon’s law.

The secretary of state’s office confirmed nine complaints about alleged deceptive practices by initiative signature-gatherers have been forwarded to Oregon’s Justice Department for criminal investigation. State elections staff also estimated about 40 people called seeking to have their signatures removed from the petition.

Many of the complaints date to late February, but Kristina Edmunson, the Justice Department’s communications head, said the agency has since received a second round of complaints. Edmunson wouldn’t comment on whether that prompted additional investigations.

Portland resident Erin Whitlock was among those who complained.

Whitlock told The Associated Press she was approached on a commuter train by a canvasser who described the measure to passengers as extending protections for immigrants in the country illegally — which she knew to be the opposite of its actual effect.

“Everything felt a little fishy,” said Whitlock, who added the canvasser would not show her a copy of the petition. Oregon canvassers are required to carry copies.

Lee Vasche, owner of the signature-gathering company named in the complaint, said he hadn’t heard of a complaint like Whitlock’s but acknowledged complaints about misrepresentation in general.