State To Probe ‘Bigot Busting’ Tactics

Sat., July 9, 1994

Source: By David Ammons Associat

Washington’s elections chief said Friday he will investigate complaints that “Bigot Busters” intimidated volunteers who were trying to gather signatures on two anti-gay rights initiatives in recent months.

The Legislature may need to “draw a perimeter” around solicitors to protect them from intimidation, said Secretary of State Ralph Munro.

Munro said he has made no judgments about the claims by Initiative 608 and 610 supporters that opponents used “gestapo tactics” to frighten potential petition signers. The opposition campaign made the difference in stopping I-608, spokeswoman Cathy Mickels said.

“We have seen a whole new process of campaigning for and against initiatives this year,” Munro said. “We have had allegations of harassment, and so I will meet with the campaigns to see if they have any credible evidence.”

If they do, “second steps” will be discussed with the Legislature to augment Washington’s law against interfering with petition signing. That law makes it a gross misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum $1,000 fine and a year in jail, to use “threats, intimidation or any other corrupt means” to harass would-be signers.

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