(left) Larry Stickney (right) Gary Randall

Larry Stickney and Gary Randall, both extreme right wing activists working to repeal the domestic partnership law passed this year,  have gone against their own request to seal the names of petition signers from the public. As a result of their litigation a Federal Court Order temporarily prevented the Secretary of State form releasing the referendum 71 petition publicly until a hearing scheduled for September 3. In court papers filed by lawyers representing Protect Marriage Washington, their lawyer argued that alleged threats, "have caused Larry Stickney a great deal of worry for his safety and the safety of his family."  

 "An Open Letter to Friends of Referendum 71" by Larry Stickney and Gary Randall was posted on three websites this morning, including the Protect Marriage Washington website managed by Larry Stickney. In the letter they disclosed the name of* Larry Stickney's daughter and confirmed that she signed the petition.  It begs the question why Stickney and Randall would release her name if they actually believed harm or retribution would result from a public record of the petition signatures? Would a good father willingly put his daughter in danger if he believed the threat was real?

In this case, they were using her as an example to explain why rejected signatures were subjected to a third check by master checkers.  One of their "eagle eyed observers" noticed her name in the rejected pile, but she allegedly registered to vote by the cut off date of July 25.  According to the Open Letter, the observer called Stickney to confirm when his daughter registered.   Observers from both parties are not allowed to write down the names of signers, nor are they permitted to disclose those names to anyone outside of the room. Observers are only allowed to write down the line number of the signature in question.  Then they are supposed to take their concerns to election officials. 

Clearly anti equality activists are more than willing to violate the rules while at the same time they accuse others of being suspicious.  Is it possible that they are making false accusations in an effort to cover up their own misbehavior? 

Meanwhile Washington Families Standing Together, the approve referendum 71 campaign to preserve the domestic partnership law, is making a concerted effort to work within the system.  In an interview by Seattle Gay News, WAFST Chairwoman Anne Levison said, "State law allows observation of the verification process to instill public confidence in the result. We plan to hold the State to that standard, but have no intention of doing so by casting aspersions on their integrity," said Levinson. "We will do so by knowing all of the laws, rules and regulations in detail, pursuing any mistakes in interpretation or implementation, and participating in a respectful and professional way. This is a very challenging and difficult process, but the implications are too important to sit on the sidelines and await results."

The implications are important. Depending on the results of the verification process, referendum 71 could face the voters in about 10 weeks.  If it does, voters will have to approve referendum 71 to preserve the domestic partnership law which will secure the rights of over 5800 families.

*Editors note: they identified Stickney's daugher not by name, but identified her as the daughter of Larry and wife Polly.  

For more info: 

http://www.approvereferendum71.org

Pam's House Blend: Militant heterosupermecists reduced to quoting lefty blogger for evidence of skullduggery by Lurleen