Prop 8 Backers Sue to Make Donors' Info Private
Gay couples line up to wed last June
Supporters of last year’s ban on gay marriage are blaming California’s campaign finance laws for harassment and retaliation against Yes on 8 donors. So they’re challenging the state’s disclosure rules – in federal court.
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(Sacramento, CA)
Thursday, January 8, 2009
If you’ve ever made a political donation above a hundred dollars before, you know the drill. You can’t just write a check and walk away; you also have to tell the campaign who you are, where you live and what you do for a living. The campaign then has to pass that info along to the Secretary of State’s office, and then, it’s posted online.
Prop 8 backers say that public disclosure has led to its donors getting harassed – from the vandalizing of churches to death threats. So they’re asking a federal court to stop the state from releasing their donors’ personal details.
The Secretary of State’s office says it doesn’t comment on pending litigation; a leading group that opposed Prop 8 did not return a late request for comment.
California voters passed the gay marriage ban last November.