Judge temporarily blocks names of Ref. 71 signers

A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order in response to a Protect Washington Families request to keep the names and addresses of those who signed Referendum 71 from the public, the Seattle Times reported. It will remain until the hearing set for Sept. 3. The Secretary of State Office admitted that it has no statutory authority to withhold the names but didn't pan to contest the TRO effort. However, U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle wrote that the group demonstrated "a reasonable likelihood of irreparable harm if the names are released."

Protect Marriage Washington submitted 138,500 signatures to get Referendum 71, which would repel a law giving gay couples marriage-like benefits, onto the November ballot.

A federal judge in Tacoma has temporarily blocked release of the names and addresses of those who signed Referendum 71, which would repeal a law giving gay couples new marriage-like benefits.

U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle this afternoon granted a temporary restraining order requested by Protect Washington Families to stop the Secretary of State's Office from making the signers' names public.

The TRO will remain in place until a hearing set for Sept. 3.

More here.