OLYMPIA, Wash. — The organization behind a series of initiatives on the November ballot could face fines from the state body that monitors elections.
An attorney and investigator for the Public Disclosure Commission detailed four violations filed against Let’s Go Washington Thursday.
The organization sponsored the November initiatives to repeal the Climate Commitment Act and the capital gains tax, and changing state policies regarding long-term care and natural gas use.
State investigators determined the organization did not “accurately and timely” reporting spending on its signature gathering efforts.
Assistant Attorney General Chad Standifer said Let’s Go Washington only filed the appropriate paperwork after the state subpoenaed the organization for the records.
Standifer said the Public Disclosure Commission should fine Let’s Go Washington the maximum amount allowed for the violations, which is $10,000 per violation.
Regardless of the decision, the initiatives will remain on the ballot.
Standifer said Let’s Go Washington has the right to obtain enough signatures to get their issues on the ballot,
"But the public also has a right, pursuant to the Fair Campaign Practices Act, to be able to view timely and accurate information about how the committee is spending money in support of those initiatives so that it may make a more informed voting decision," said Standifer.
Callie Castillo, attorney for Let’s Go Washington, told commissioners the organization did nothing wrong, and investigators had no basis for filing the complaint.
"PDC staff has overreached in filing these charges against Let's Go Washington,” said Castillo, “It has no factual or legal basis to hold Let's Go Washington accountable for complying with the PDC staff's own request, when the law didn't require it."
Brian Heywood sponsored the effort to get the issues on the ballot.
He issued a written statement about the allegations:
"Let’s Go Washington has been transparent in all of its campaign reports. The PDC does not dispute that we have reported every penny we have received and spent advocating for the people’s initiatives. This issue concerns only technical details of how we reported that information."