Weighing in

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling that affirms an emotionally charged but key component of government accountability drew debate last week as readers squared off over whether the signatures of voters who sign nominating petitions for proposed ballot measures should be open to public inspection. The case involved Referendum 71, which qualified for the ballot but was defeated by voters. It sought to abolish Washington state’s “everything but marriage” law granting same-sex couples and others involved in long-term relationships many of the rights enjoyed by married couples. Find full coverage at www.spokesman.com.

Ninch: I think the real focus should be on those who wrongly use these names to intimidate petition signers because they (those who intimidate) are actually violating the First Amendment rights of the petition signers.

Misjustice: There is no expectation of privacy in the petition signature collection process. Think about it – names are procured in public often in front of stores. Anyone signing one of these things can see the names of those who already signed. … In this case, I agree with the judge’s finding. The petition process ends up creating law, and we have a right to know who is creating our laws.

Daisy Minken: Well, if (there’s) intimidation or physical violence against a supporter on either side, personal protection devices will be used. And they should be, too. Judges opened a very difficult door – wider. Cuts both ways. Those who support gayness in marriage will be singled out too. Transparency is good.

Gramma: I have signed my last petition. I feel when you sign a petition to have something put on the ballot, it should be private and open only to those employees working for the state/petitioners. If my signature is not private, then I will NEVER sign for another petition to be put on a ballot. EVER!!

Spokanada: Gramma, you didn’t sign the petition in private so why do you think your name was private?

Susan Wensel: Why should signing a petition be kept private? The petition itself is a public record; opponents of the petition need to be able to challenge the signatures. They can’t do that if they don’t know who supposedly signed it. A better comparison is voter registration rolls, (which) are public documents in large part to enable interested parties in ensuring that only those who are alive and eligible to vote can. Both lists are transparent to allow both sides of an issue to evaluate the legitimacy of those capable of acting on it.