A group seeking to ban the production of genetically engineered plants in Jackson County, Ore., has qualified for the May 2014 ballot, according to the county clerk's office.

Ballot Measure 15-119 bans growing of genetically engineered plants, with exemptions for scientific research.

The group, GMO-Free Jackson County, submitted 6,710 signatures on Jan. 2, according to County Clerk Chris Walker.

Under a statistical formula used to determine signature validity, 5,800 were valid, well above the 4,662 valid signatures needed to qualify.

The measure will carry the ballot title: "Ordinance to ban growing of some 'genetically engineered' (defined) plants."

--Mitch Lies