Voters probably won't know names of Ref 71 signers

Given the slow grind of the legal system, it looks like Washington voters will decide the fate of Referendum 71 without knowing who signed the petitions that put the measure on the ballot.

On Oct. 14, a three-member panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments in a case aimed at keeping names of petition signers private.

Sponsors of the referendum want the identities kept confidential while the state argues they are public information that should be released. A federal judge's ruling in favor of the sponsors was appealed.

Even if the federal Court of Appeals rushed to rule before the November election, its decision would likely get challenged. That would almost certainly mean a final outcome would not come until ballots are counted.

Today, Gary Randall of the Faith and Freedom Network informed supporters of the court date. He wrote

As most of you know, we are continuing in the attempt to keep the names of all who signed the R-71 petitions sealed. The Secretary of State has appealed the restraining order. The matter will be heard by the 9th Circuit Court in Pasadena, CA, October 14.

We learned this morning that we have been assigned Harry Pregerson, a Carter-appointed liberal who has twice ruled in favor of gay rights on the 9th Circuit, Wallace Tashima, a Clinton-appointed liberal and Norman Smith, a Bush 43-appointee who graduated from BYU, as our judges.

James Bopp and Steven Pidgeon will be representing us. Pray for their success.