Oregon Public Broadcasting

Opponents of  Washington’s newest gay domestic partnership law plan to start gathering signatures this week.

They want to repeal the law in a referendum this November.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of State’s office is now voicing concern about a plan by gay rights activists to publish the names of petition signers. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins has this update.

As soon as referendum petitions are submitted to the state, they become public record. But Washington’s top elections officials are made uneasy by a website called WhoSigned.org.

Borrowing a page from the “KnowThyNeighbor” campaign in Oregon and other states, the sponsors of the website plan to “out” people who sign the petition.

While legal, Washington’s Deputy Elections Director Shane Hamlin worries what that will do to voter participation.

Shane Hamlin: “What we are concerned about is how this may have a chilling effect on the referendum process and how it may affect people’s decisions to sign the petition or not.”

Washington state law prohibits threats or intimidation in elections.

The sponsor of the WhoSigned website has said he simply wants to trigger a conversation between supporters and opponents of gay rights. But referendum backers call it a “bullying tactic” and say they may sue.

Online:

Faith & Freedom PAC

www.whosigned.org

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