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Oregon Food Labeling Measure Headed For Likely Recount

File photo of signs marking a field of genetically modified corn
Lindsay Eyink
File photo of signs marking a field of genetically modified corn

The most expensive initiative in Oregon history appears headed for a recount.

County elections officials had until Monday to submit their final totals from this month's election. And the margin of defeat for Measure 92 now stands at about 800 votes.

Measure 92 would require food manufacturers and retailers to label genetically engineered foods. The two sides combined to spend nearly $29 million.

The Oregon Secretary of State's office hasn't officially announced a recount yet. That won't happen until next week. But the current totals are well within the margin needed to trigger a state-funded recount. It would be the first statewide recount since 2008.

Supporters of Measure 92 tried desperately to get voters whose ballots had been disqualified to correct signature problems. But that effort may not have been enough to propel the initiative to victory.

Copyright 2014 Northwest News Network

Chris Lehman
Chris Lehman graduated from Temple University with a journalism degree in 1997. He landed his first job less than a month later, producing arts stories for Red River Public Radio in Shreveport, Louisiana. Three years later he headed north to DeKalb, Illinois, where he worked as a reporter and announcer for NPR–affiliate WNIJ–FM. In 2006 he headed west to become the Salem Correspondent for the Northwest News Network.