In The News 
Supreme Court on R-71: Names on petitions can be made public
The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the names of people who signed petitions in an attempt to overturn a new gay rights law in Washington could be made public, a victory for state officials who said the case was a test of open government laws.
U.S. Supreme Court refuses to keep R-71 petitioner IDs private
A near unanimous U.S. Supreme Court today ruled Washington state can release the names of the roughly 138,000 people who signed ballot petitions to overturn a same-sex domestic partnership law. The court found the Washington Public Records Act covered the release of referendum signatures and the state has a responsibility to promote "transparency and accountability" in the electoral process.
Surprising groups oppose new measure against corruption
In Alaska, where prosecutors have sent a string of politicians and bribe-payers to federal prison in recent years, who could oppose what has been billed as an anti- corruption ballot measure? How about the AARP. The Resource Development Council and the Anchorage Economic Development Corp. The Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, the Alaska Democratic Party, and the AFL-CIO. Unions for police, teachers, firefighters and other public employees. Municipalities and boroughs from around the state.
Group files suit on redistricting ballot measure
A battle over how Florida lawmakers will decide the next round of redistricting is now headed to court. A coalition of groups and people who want to change the once-in-a-decade task of drawing new districts for Congress and the Legislature say that legislators are trying to mislead voters into keeping everything the way it is.
Open-primary measure would lift moderates
In a state where party politics dominate primary campaigns, California voters are being asked to change the system and force candidates to appeal to a wider field in the early contests. Proposition 14 on the June 8 ballot would transform primaries so voters could cast a ballot for any candidate, regardless of party affiliation, sending the top two vote-getters to the general election. It would apply to candidates running for all state and federal seats, except president.
Attorney general’s 23 attempts to serve Bruce come up empty
The Colorado Attorney General’s office has made 23 attempts to serve Colorado Springs resident Douglas Bruce with a court order compelling him to testify at a deposition in connection with three campaign-finance complaints. In a document filed Friday in Denver District Court, the Colorado Attorney General’s office maintains that the in-person attempts, as well as notices sent to Bruce by regular mail, express mail, e-mails and newspaper articles, constitute proof of service.
Future state ballot questions will have public hearings
Alaskans can find out who's financing ballot initiative organizers far sooner under a bill the Legislature passed late Sunday. Rep. Kyle Johansen's bill now goes to Gov. Sean Parnell.
2010 Alaska Legislature sends constitutional amendment to voters
The Legislature voted Sunday to expand both of its chambers by 10 percent by adding two and four Senate and House seats, respectively. The measure, a proposed constitutional amendment, must still pass muster with voters. The vote comes as the state sees increasing signs of a population shift from rural areas to bigger cities.
Voters will welcome lack of initiative(s)
Ten years ago, Oregonians voted on 18 initiatives in the November general election — proposed laws or constitutional amendments that reached the ballot after sponsors gathered the required number of initiatives. This year, according to a survey by The (Portland) Oregonian, there may be only three. Voters will welcome a break. Three initiatives would be the lowest number since 1980.
Wash. Builder lobby plugs workers’ comp initiative
A new voter initiative sponsored by a Washington state construction-industry group would break up the state government monopoly on workers' compensation. The Building Industry Association of Washington announced its campaign Wednesday for Initiative 1082. The initiative would allow private workers' comp insurance to compete with the state government system.
