High Court to Determine Petition-Signers' Protection

The U.S. Supreme Court will determine whether the names of people who signed a petition to protect marriage in Washington State will be released by the Secretary of State.
 
James Bopp Jr., lead counsel for Protect Marriage Washington, said if names and information are released, it likely will discourage people from becoming involved in social policy.
 
"I just think the court's going to take a serious look at whether disclosure of political activity isn't a way to inhibit and chill it, rather than to encourage it," he said.
 
Gay activists claim that access to names and personal information is needed to verify voting registration.
 
Joseph Backholm, executive director of the Family Policy Institute of Washington, said that requirement is not needed when tallying votes.
 
"We trust the Secretaries of State to do that because we believe a ballot should be a private thing," he explained.
 
— Roger Greer