The Threshold

R-71
Ehhhhlection '09


The campaign that gathered signatures to get Referendum 71 on the ballot has been the winner in court so far in its effort to withhold names of people who signed the referendum petition.

When should a group be allowed to withhold names? There is a local precedent that sets a threshold. The Seattle Ethics and Elections gave the Freedom Socialists a pass on disclosing supporter names because they were able to show disclosure would have subjected them to threats, intimidation and harassment.

As we can see today, Freedom Socialists are not the only ones with good reason to be afraid of the right wing. Threats based on politics target the center and left; Beckbots are willing to go after anyone even slightly liberal.

The case for withholding names of R-71 signers does not rise to this threshold. Opponents of gay civil rights have no safety concerns from loss of anonymity, because liberals don't threaten, intimidate and harrass. We do criticize, mock and boycott -- but those are legal and nonviolent expression. Shielding someone from legal and nonviolent expression is not sufficient reason for exemption from public disclosure.