OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — One lawsuit challenging the public release of ballot petitions has ended, but a separate federal case is heading to trial next spring.
The legal actions were sparked by the 2009 campaign for Referendum 71, which sought to overturn gay couples' expanded domestic partnerships. That referendum was defeated.
On Friday, initiative activist Tim Eyman's challenge of the state's petition disclosure policy was dismissed in Thurston County Superior Court.
But a separate federal lawsuit will continue. Secretary of State Sam Reed says the federal challenge to public release of R-71 petitions is set for a late May trial.
In that case, R-71 sponsors are asking to keep the signed petitions secret because they say people who signed could face harassment.
