Washington Family PAC Files Suit to Allow it to Accept Contributions Exceeding $5,000 to Fight R-71 and Shield Small DonorsBopp, Coleson & Bostrom PRESS RELEASE Washington Family PAC Files Suit to Allow it to Accept Contributions Exceeding $5,000 to Fight R-71 and Shield Small Donors. The Family PAC is a pro-family organization that would like to encourage Washington citizens to reject R-71 on November 3, 2009. Unless defeated, R-71 will expand domestic partnership rights and erode the institution of marriage. During the twenty-one days preceding an election, Washington law prohibits the Family PAC from receiving donations in excess of $5,000. The Family PAC has donors willing to contribute more than $5,000 to its effort, but is unable to accept the contributions because of the Washington law. This directly limits its ability to fight R-71 and its ability to protect the institution of marriage. Washington also requires the Family PAC to report the name, address, and employer’s name of individuals that give as little as $25. At this level, the information is irrelevant to voters and discourages individuals from making contributions. The Family PAC has filed suit [complaint] in federal court and has asked the court to issue an order allowing it to accept contributions in excess of $5,000. It has also asked the court to exempt it from the reporting requirements. James Bopp, Jr., lead counsel for the Family PAC, stated, “Washington’s disclosure thresholds are among the lowest in the nation. After the harassment directed at supporters of Proposition 8 last year in California, no one should have their personal information published on the internet for making a contribution and certainly not at the irrational levels set by the state of Washington. The First Amendment protects citizens engaged in political speech from compelled disclosure. Disclosure thresholds such as these discourage individuals from participating in the political process.” The case is before the Honorable Ronald B. Leighton, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, at Tacoma. The case number is C:09-5662-RBL. James Bopp, Jr. has a national federal and state election law practice. He is General Counsel for the James Madison Center for Free Speech and former Co-Chairman of the Election Law Subcommittee of the Federalist Society, and was recently recognized as the Republican Lawyer of the Year by the National Republican Lawyers Association. |