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Tag: Public Records Act

Doe v. Reed: Appeals Court upholds R-71 petition releases

Doe v. Reed: Appeals Court upholds R-71 petition releases

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected a challenge to Washington’s policy of releasing initiative and referendum petitions, specifically the Referendum 71 signatures submitted to force a public vote on the “everything but marriage” law three years ago. Secretary of State Sam Reed said he was pleased with the decision and that it honors the state voters’ commitment to the Public Records Act and transparency in government.  Reed said he hopes the challengers will let the decision stand, now…

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U.S. high court declines to block R-71 petitions

U.S. high court declines to block R-71 petitions

The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected efforts by foes of gay-marriage to block Washington state from releasing Referendum 71 petitions while an appeal is underway in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The court gave no reasoning for denying the motion by Protect Marriage Washington to issue an injunction.  The order indicates that Justice Anthony Kennedy, who is responsible for motions arising from the 9th Circuit, referred the request to the full court, which did not support the motion. The…

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Judge: Ruling on Doe v. Reed R-71 disclosure case in 2 weeks

Judge: Ruling on Doe v. Reed R-71 disclosure case in 2 weeks

U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle says he will rule within two weeks on a request from gay-marriage foes that he permanently seal Referendum 71 petitions from public access.  Settle didn’t indicate how he will rule, but did say at one point from the bench Monday that the record submitted by challengers is “devoid” of direct evidence of harassment that could result if the petitions are released. Katie Blinn, state co-director of elections, said following a hearing in Tacoma that she’s…

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Initiative petition release green-lighted

Initiative petition release green-lighted

The Office of Secretary of State has begun the process of releasing copies of petitions for about a dozen initiatives, most sponsored by initiative activist Tim Eyman. Thurston County Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks on Friday lifted his previous ban on releasing initiative and referendum petitions under the state’s voter-approved Public Records Act.  The Secretary of State’s public records officer, Brenda Galarza, on Tuesday began making arrangements with individuals who had requested the petitions submitted for 11 initiatives in earlier…

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Thurston judge OKs release of initiative petitions

Thurston judge OKs release of initiative petitions

Judge Richard Hicks of Thurston County Superior Court has just lifted the ban on releasing initiative petitions under the state’s Public Records Act.  His decision does not allow release of Referendum 71 petitions, however, since those are still the focus of a federal lawsuit brought by foes of same-sex marriage, and the federal judge has released a ban on release at this point. State Elections Director Nick Handy said petitions will be released as soon as possible, and that he…

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R-71 case: Nearly 2m signatures released w/o incident

R-71 case: Nearly 2m signatures released w/o incident

The state Elections Division, preparing for another court challenge of the Secretary of State’s policy of releasing initiative petitions under terms of the voter-approved Public Records Act, notes that nearly 2 million signatures have been released in recent years, without apparent incident. By the numbers: Year Released Initiative Initiative Subject Number of Signatures Submitted 2006 & 2007 917 Motor Vehicle Charges 265,809 2006 & 2007 920 Estate Tax 395,219 2009 933 Regulation of Private Property 317,353 2007 937 Energy Resources…

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R-71 public records update: Release ban continues

R-71 public records update: Release ban continues

U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle has ruled that Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed   will continue to be blocked from releasing Referendum 71 signatures while challengers mount a federal court case that aims to keep the 138,000 names under wraps permanently. The judge, in a brief hearing in his courtroom in Tacoma on Wednesday, agreed to the Reed’s request for an expedited hearing schedule. The challengers, Protect Marriage Washington, will release a list of its witnesses so the Attorney General…

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Ninth Circuit issues opinion on R-71 petition case

Ninth Circuit issues opinion on R-71 petition case

Last week in California, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled to lift the ban on Washington releasing the Referendum 71 petitions. But the U.S. Supreme Court this week suspended the Ninth Circuit’s ruling, which means the ban remains in effect while the Supremes prepare to resolve this issue once and for all. In its reversal of Tacoma-based U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle’s ruling last month that the petitions shouldn’t be released because they are “anonymous…

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Friday update for R-71 signature courtwatchers

Friday update for R-71 signature courtwatchers

(UPDATE: This blog was updated 10-16-09 at 4:58 p.m.) Although the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has given the green light for releasing Referendum 71 petition sheets under terms of the state’s Public Records Act, it’s not quite that simple. Both state and federal courts are still involved and it will be at least a few more days until we know if the petitions can be released. The Attorney General’s Office, which is representing the Secretary of State, says: 1….

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