Initiatives Made Easier: Washington Initiative 517

Fri, Oct 11 2013 by Neal Hobson

Initiatives are difficult to qualify in Washington.  In 2014, it will require 246,000+ signatures to petition a statewide measure onto the ballot. This can be a hill too high to climb for under-funded ballot initiative campaigns.

That’s where this November’s Initiative 517 comes in and makes a simple, smart change.  For both initiatives to the people and those to the Legislature, I-517 would increase the signature-collecting timeframe by six months. The extra time will allow all-volunteer efforts and groups with shallow pockets a better chance to collect the necessary signatures.  

Citizens in Charge considers this the most important change made by I-517, as it allows the “little guy” a chance to compete with the “big dogs” and their more heavily-bankrolled campaigns.

I-517 also protects petitioners from harassment as well as guaranteeing a public vote on any measures that collect the required number of signatures, thereby preventing interference from lawsuits until after the measure is voted upon by the people.

The Everett Herald: I-517 would make it easier to get initiatives on ballot
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20131009/NEWS01/710099943/I-517-changes-everything