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Tag: 9th Circuit Court of Appeals

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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Federal appeals court hears challenge of Top 2 Primary

Federal appeals court hears challenge of Top 2 Primary

Washington’s political parties are back in federal appeals court, continuing their six-year  challenge of the state’s popular voter-approved Top 2 Primary. The Democratic, Republican and Libertarian parties of Washington asked the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday to throw out the system, which allows voters to choose their favorite for each office, without respect to party, with the two favorites advancing to the November General Election ballot.  Neither party is guaranteed a November runoff slot, and the Top 2…

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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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Challengers seek Supreme Court order against R-71 releases

Challengers seek Supreme Court order against R-71 releases

UPDATE: Protect Marriage Washington has asked U.S. Supreme Court Justce Anthony Kennedy to block release of Referendum 71 petitions while an appeal is underway in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. While that is pending, Washington’s Office of Secretary of State will suspend release of further R-71 petition DVDs.  The office has no further information on the timing of Justice Kennedy’s handling of the matter. Earlier, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals  rejected the bid by Protect Marriage Washington to…

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McKenna, Reed challenge felon voting decision

McKenna, Reed challenge felon voting decision

Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna, backed by Secretary of State Sam Reed, will personally argue in federal appeals court next Wednesday for reversal of a a widely criticized decision that tossed out the state’s ban on felon voting. McKenna and Reed held a joint news conference Friday before the attorney general headed to San Francisco to prepare for oral arguments before an 11-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. A three-judge panel of the court, in a surprise…

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9th Circuit will re-open WA felon voting case

9th Circuit will re-open WA felon voting case

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has agreed to a Sept. 21 re-hearing of  a challenge of Washington’s longstanding ban on voting by felons.  The nationally prominent case could be decided by the appeals judges or end up in the U.S. Supreme Court to set a nationwide policy. An 11-judge panel will re-hear the case that three of its own judges had decided in favor of the inmates earlier this year. That much-criticized ruling held that Washington violates the federal…

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9th Circuit will rehear WA felon voter case

9th Circuit will rehear WA felon voter case

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has agreed to rehear a challenge of Washington’s longstanding ban on voting by felons. Today’s development, handed down in a one-paragraph, three-line order signed by Chief Judge  Alex Kozinski, said the circuit court judges have agreed to rehear the case. No timeline was specified, but Kozinki and 10 judges drawn at random from the circuit will hear the case. Just a few months ago, in January, a three-judge panel from the circuit handed down…

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