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R-71: Stay tuned for federal court decision on petitions

R-71: Stay tuned for federal court decision on petitions

Should Washington officials be allowed to release Referendum 71 petition sheets? That touchy issue is in the hands of a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena, Calif., following a hearing this morning. Deputy Solicitor General Bill Collins, who represented the state, reported a very well-prepared panel and a “very lively” discussion of the issues. He said the court has taken the case under advisement without indicating when – or how – they will rule. Since the appeals…

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R-71 signature battle heads to federal appeals judges

R-71 signature battle heads to federal appeals judges

Washington’s Attorney General and Secretary of State will ask a federal appeals court on Wednesday to overturn a lower court ruling and allow release of Referendum 71 petitions. There’s some question, though, whether voters will be able to actually see the public records before the election is over and done, even if the state proves its case that the voter-approved Public Records Act requires disclosure of the documents. R-71 sponsors, Protect Marriage Washington, won a federal court order in Tacoma blocking…

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Indie poll shows R-71 a close call …

Indie poll shows R-71 a close call …

In just three weeks, we’ll have our vote-by-mail ballots in hand. Biggest intrigue: How will we vote on Referendum 71, the so-called “everything but marriage” law? According to a fresh Elway Poll by independent pollster Stuart Elway, the measure currently has a slim lead statewide — 46 percent to approve the law and 41 percent to reject it. Elway, who has been tracking public opinion on gay-rights issues for years, reports considerable confusion about what an affirmative or negative vote…

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