Ruling by judge on Washington ballot measure next week
A federal judge in Tacoma says he will decide by Sept. 10 whether the names of those who signed Referendum 71 will be made public. The judge heard 90 minutes of arguments in the case Thursday afternoon. The referendum challenges Washington state’s so-called “Everything but Marriage” law giving equal rights to gay and lesbian couples. Attorney Sarah Troupis argued that releasing the names would subject those who signed signed the petitions to harassment and worse. She said it would have a chilling effect on constitutionally protected free speech and free association.