Opinion
No. 102996-9
08-09-2024
DEFEND WASHINGTON, Susan Young, and Sharon Chen, Appellants, v. Steve HOBBS, et al., Respondents.
ORDER
¶1 This case came before the Court (Justice Owens did not sit) at its August 9, 2024, Special En Banc Conference to consider an appeal from a judgment of the Thurston County Superior Court dismissing appellants’ complaint under RCW 29A.72.240 challenging Secretary of State Steve Hobbs’s certification of signatures on five voter initiative petitions. At issue in the appeal is whether the secretary permissibly certified the signatures on the sole basis that the signatures matched those found in the voter rolls. Petitioners also move for expedited consideration or for an injunction against certifying the initiatives for placement on the ballot. Having considered the arguments of the parties in their briefing, the court unanimously determines that the decision of the superior court dismissing the complaint should be affirmed. In verifying the signatures on the initiative petitions, the secretary of state complied with the requirements of RCW 29A.72.230 and applicable regulations, consistent with article II, section 1(a) of the Washington Constitution.
¶2 Now, therefore, it is hereby
¶3 ORDERED:
(1) The motion for direct review is granted.
(2) The motion for expedited review is granted.
(3) The motion for injunctive relief is denied
(3) The superior court’s order dismissing the complaint is affirmed.
¶4 An opinion fully explaining the court’s decision will be issued at a later time.
For the Court
/s/ González, C.J.
CHIEF JUSTICE