This Washington
Extra Fizz: R-71 Back in Court
As expected, opponents of releasing the names of people who signed the R-71 petition have filed a motion in the U.S. District Court of Tacoma to continue blocking the names.
Although the U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld Washington state's public disclosure act (which means names on petitions are fair game), they left room for specific challenges.
Conservative attorney James Bopp (who argued and lost the U.S. Supreme Court case) will have to persuade the federal court in Tacoma that people who signed the petition will be in danger if their names are made public.
“If the R-71 petitions are released, petition signers face a reasonable probability of threats, harassment, and reprisals,” Bopp's motion says.
Washington State Attorney General argued in favor of releasing the names in the Supreme Court and press release issued by the Washignton Secretary of State says McKenna and Secretary of State Sam Reed—both Republicans—"will continue fighting for release under terms of the state’s voter-approved Public Records Act."
Although the U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld Washington state's public disclosure act (which means names on petitions are fair game), they left room for specific challenges.
Conservative attorney James Bopp (who argued and lost the U.S. Supreme Court case) will have to persuade the federal court in Tacoma that people who signed the petition will be in danger if their names are made public.
“If the R-71 petitions are released, petition signers face a reasonable probability of threats, harassment, and reprisals,” Bopp's motion says.
Washington State Attorney General argued in favor of releasing the names in the Supreme Court and press release issued by the Washignton Secretary of State says McKenna and Secretary of State Sam Reed—both Republicans—"will continue fighting for release under terms of the state’s voter-approved Public Records Act."
