Wash. court asked to rule on red-light camera vote

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A group from Mukilteo is asking the state Supreme Court to rule on the validity of a public vote on red-light traffic cameras in the city.

It’s a case that could have broad implications as red-light camera opponents push ballot measures in several Washington cities, including Monroe, Bellingham, Longview and Wenatchee.

Camera opponents including frequent initiative sponsor Tim Eyman collected signatures last year seeking to repeal a Mukilteo ordinance about the cameras and require a public vote before the city could use them. The measure passed with 71 percent.

The city council determined the cameras were not a valid initiative topic and treated the vote as advisory instead of binding. Last month the council abolished red-light cameras in Mukilteo.

A group called Mukilteo Citizens for Simple Government asked the court Tuesday to rule that the initiative should never have been on the ballot.

A lawyer for Eyman and other initiative sponsors argued that the city’s residents should have been allowed to vote on the initiative even if it wasn’t valid.