Here's WA State Supreme Court Ruling That Supports Our Efforts

The state supreme court has noted that home-rule county control of elections is specifically exempt from a separate constitutional provision imposing uniform standards on elections. 25 It is unclear, however, whether the state legislature may preempt home-rule counties with respect to elections if it does so expressly. 26

25 E.g., Henry v. Thorne, 602 P.2d 354, 355 (Wash. 1979) (“The amendment expressly provides that any county adopting a home rule charter is exempt from the uniform election provisions of article 11, section 5 (amendment 57).”).

26 Id. at 881 (“[C]ounty home rule expressed the intent of the people of this state to have ‘the right to conduct their purely local affairs without supervision by the state, so long as they abided by the provisions of the constitution and did not run counter to considerations of public policy of broad concern, expressed in general laws.’”) 

WA Secretary Of State Website link describing gathering signatures at shopping centers

"The courts' decisions depended on several factors but the most important factor was whether the business in question had a policy of permitting or welcoming non-commercial, community or political activities onto the property. The courts have characterized this as maintaining a policy of allowing charitable, civic and political groups to use designated "public service centers" on the property."

2015 "Honest Elections" Initiative In Seattle Shows It Can Be Done

A very left-leaning initiative that targeted election rules and procedures in Seattle demonstrates that the Restore Election Confidence Initiative here in Clark County has a legal runway.  Some have tried to say that the REC initiative here in Clark County does too many things and could violate the "one subject" rule of the Constitution.  Well, if that's the case, then how many "subjects" did the Honest Elections of Seattle initiative violate?

What did "Honest Elections Seattle" initiative do:

• Banned campaign contributions from corporations and industries that spend significant funds lobbying the city and corporations with large city contracts.

• Lowers contribution limits in all city races.

• Increased fines and penalties for election law violations.

• Tightens campaign reporting deadlines and increases transparency.

• Required signature gatherers to disclose if they are being paid.

• Closed the “revolving door” of top officials becoming lobbyists after leaving office.

• An innovative public finance program that will give voters four $25 “Democracy Vouchers” to donate to the qualified candidates of their choice, encouraging political participation by a broader set of Seattleites and allowing candidates to finance their campaigns with small donations instead of relying on the city’s wealthiest people and special interests.

• Spending caps for candidates that participate in the public finance program.

https://www.seattle.gov/democracyvoucher/about-the-program/honest-elections-seattle-initiative

Check out the latest version of the RECI Volunteer Guide below

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