OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The state will appeal a recent federal ruling that overturned a state law limiting campaign contributions in the final weeks of ballot measure campaigns.
The state Public Disclosure Commission and Attorney General Rob McKenna said Wednesday they plan to seek an immediate stay of U.S. District Judge Ronald Leighton’s ruling that the limit is an unconstitutional infringement on political speech.
The law at issue bans contributions larger than $5,000 in the final three weeks of an initiative or referendum campaign. Leighton kept in place a requirement to identify donors who contribute more than $25.
Family PAC, a political group involved in the 2009 referendum on expanded domestic partnerships for gay couples, sued the state last year challenging the contribution limit.
