Posted: Tuesday, October 27, 2009
OLYMPIA, WA - Washington’s campaign contribution limits will
remain in place through Election Day. A federal judge in Tacoma
today rejected a bid by opponents of Referendum 71 to temporarily
block campaign finance laws. Correspondent Austin Jenkins explains.
R-71 is the ballot measure that asks Washington voters to approve
or reject the state’s everything but marriage law. Washington
Family PAC opposes the gay rights measure and last week sued in
federal court to challenge two key Washington campaign finance
laws. One requires campaigns to report the names, addresses and
employers of donors. The other restricts contributions to $5,000 in
the 21 days preceding the election. Washington Family argues those
rules discourage participation in the political process. But that ship
has sailed says Nancy Krier, attorney for Washington’s Public
Disclosure Commission.
Krier: “To attempt to change all the rules of the game while these
campaigns are ongoing and this close to the election is
inappropriate.”
The judge agreed with the PDC and refused to issue a temporary
restraining order. A trial on the merits of the case could still go
forward after the election.
Copyright 2009 KUOW