R-71 Donor Names Must Be Disclosed

The names and other basic information about donors to Referendum 71, the effort to repeal the expanded domestic partnership law for same-sex couples in Washington, are not exempt from public disclosure, according to a decision by the state public disclosure commission on Thursday as reported by the Seattle Times.

Protect Marriage Washington, which supports the referendum that would put the domestic partnership law to a public vote in November, had asked the commission to redact and seal the names, addresses and occupations of donors, which were already made public as required by law.

The commission said that Protect Marriage Washington failed to show that donors had received threats against their lives or property because of the disclosure.

Supporters of R-71, which would repeal the domestic partnership law that gives same-sex partners benefits comparable to marriage, submitted 137,689 signatures seeking to place the measure on the ballot. At least 120,577 valid signatures are needed, and state election officials expect to complete the verification process by Tuesday.