Citizens in Charge

Several gay-rights groups from across the country are developing databases of names and address of people who signed petitions supporting traditional marriage measures. These searchable databases would be put on the Internet open to all interested parties.

A group called KnowThyNeighboor.org has already placed names of traditional marriage supporters on he Internet in states like Oregon, Florida and Arkansas.

In Washington State a group called WhoSigned.org is trying to do the same thing. They want to place the names and addresses of people who signed a petition supporting ballot referendum 71, which attempts to overturn the state’s 2009 Domestic Partner Expansion Bill on the internet.

According to an article in the Seattle Times, “Names on petitions are a matter of public record, but only after petitions have been certified by the secretary of state, which, … If there aren’t enough signatures, the names do not become public.”

There are mixed feelings about promoting the list of petition signers. Some feel its a privacy issues and are worried about intimidation tactics. Others feel that the names are already public record and by knowing how people feel about the issue, there can be a better conversation on the matter.

Here is a link to the Seattle Times Article: Gay-rights group wants to name petition signers

What do you think?

POLL: Should the names of petition signers be placed on a searchable database on the Internet?

• Yes
• No

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