To All Oregon for the People Volunteers and Supporters of the Kotek Recall
From: William “Bill” Minnix, Chief Petitioner
Date: October 27, 2025

Subject: Court Ruling Update and Next Steps

Dear Volunteers and Supporters,

With deep regret, I must share difficult news received late Sunday night. The U.S. District Court for Oregon has denied our Emergency Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). Below are portions of the Court’s ruling:

“Plaintiff moves for an emergency TRO. The Court finds Plaintiff has failed to demonstrate a substantial likelihood of success on the merits. The Court further finds that Plaintiff has failed to show irreparable harm in the absence of preliminary relief…
In addition, the Court notes the procedural posture of this case distinguishes it from other cases granting TROs in the context of ballot issues or election procedures. When courts have issued the extraordinary remedy of preliminary relief, it is most often in the context of nefarious activity in an imminent election…
The Court may only grant the extraordinary relief of a TRO if the harm cannot be repaired at a later date. The Court declines to make such a finding here.
If the Court, in later proceedings, determines Plaintiff’s First and Fourteenth Amendment rights have been violated, it could grant Plaintiff additional days to collect signatures at that point in time.”

Immediately upon receiving this ruling, I filed a Notice of Appeal with the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. We are now awaiting their decision and the possibility of oral arguments.

The Court itself acknowledged that if later proceedings determine our constitutional rights were violated, the State of Oregon may be required to grant us additional days to collect signatures. That acknowledgment keeps the door open — and I intend to walk through it.

Where We Stand

• The State closes our petition today, Monday, October 27, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

• I am not closing this fight.

• Our appeal is active, and I will pursue it — if necessary — all the way to the United States Supreme Court.

To Our Volunteers

You each must decide whether to continue circulating petitions in hope of a favorable outcome. I want to be fully transparent — the choice is yours. As for me, I will never surrender.

This ruling has not ended our fight. It has simply shown how deeply flawed Oregon’s system is. There is no case law anywhere in the United States involving a state using county-level instructions and cover sheets for a state-level gubernatorial recall. This unprecedented act by the Oregon Secretary of State has silenced voters and chilled participation in our constitutional right to recall.

In its own written response to my Demand Letter, the State admitted it would correct future recalls with a new cover sheet format — a direct acknowledgment that ours was defective. Yet they refused to grant us additional time, claiming “uncertainty” over my standing, not denying it outright.

My Commitment

I apologize if anyone feels misled. Electronic court notes before the official Order indicated a restraining order was imminent — I acted in good faith based on that information.

Despite this setback, I remain steadfast. This movement is grassroots, volunteer-driven, and built on integrity and courage. We have no deep pockets or elite legal teams — only dedicated Oregonians fighting for fairness and truth.

To all of you who stood shoulder-to-shoulder in this fight: thank you. Your commitment has already made history. Together, we will continue pressing forward — for transparency, accountability, and the voice of the people.

One Oregon. One People. One Future.
– William “Bill” Minnix
Chief Petitioner, Oregon for the People
www.OregonForThePeople.com