County clerks have recounted half of the ballots, and the Oregon initiative for labeling GMO food has lost ground slightly. Measure 92 lost by 812 votes in the election-night tally. The “no” side has netted a gain of two votes with 22 of 36 counties reporting the results of their recounts, according to data posted by the Secretary of State’s office. The recount should be complete by mid-week.
A recount was automatic under state law because of the narrow difference in vote totals out of 1.5 million cast. Three previous recounts in Oregon did not reverse the election-night totals.
The labeling referendum passed in eight counties, including Multnomah, the most populous county which includes Portland. Four of the eight counties – Benton, Clatsop, Lincoln and Multnomah with a combined 30 percent of the “yes” vote – have reported their recount totals.
The Multnomah County results “appeared to seal the measure’s doom,” said the Portland Oregonian. “No other county favored the measure to require labeling of genetically altered foods more strongly than Multnomah.”