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New PAC against R-71 seeks big money and secrecy
Posted
at
4:10 pm
by Jerry Cornfield
Opponents of Referendum 71 are going to court again and this time it's about money.
Family Political Action Commttee, a newly formed group urging voters to reject the referendum, wants to collect donations in excess of $5,000 which is the state imposed maximum contribution in the 21 days before an election. The group also wants names of donors kept secret.
The group filed an action in U.S. District Court in Tacoma.
If you recall, earlier this year, the state Public Disclosure Commission rejected a request from Protect Marriage Washington to keep names of donors secret.
From Family PAC's press release:
During the twenty-one days preceding an election, Washington law prohibits the Family PAC from receiving donations in excess of $5,000. The Family PAC has donors willing to contribute more than $5,000 to its effort, but is unable to accept the contributions because of the Washington law. This directly limits its ability to fight R-71 and its ability to protect the institution of marriage.
Washington also requires the Family PAC to report the name, address, and employer's name of individuals that give as little as $25. At this level, the information is irrelevant to voters and discourages individuals from making contributions.
The Family PAC has filed suit in federal court and has asked the court to issue an order allowing it to accept contributions in excess of $5,000. It has also asked the court to exempt it from the reporting requirements.
James Bopp, Jr., lead counsel for the Family PAC, stated, “Washington's disclosure thresholds are among the lowest in the nation. After the harassment directed at supporters of Proposition 8 last year in California, no one should have their personal information published on the internet for making a contribution and certainly not at the irrational levels set by the state of Washington. The First Amendment protects citizens engaged in political speech from compelled disclosure. Disclosure thresholds such as these discourage individuals from participating in the political process.”
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