State officials voice concerns over harassment of signature gatherers

Washington state officials are voicing concerns regarding intimidation faced by signature gatherers from Let’s Go Washington, a conservative political action committee. The organization reported 30 separate incidents of harassment, vandalism, and theft against its members. Governor Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown condemned these actions after Tacoma Police arrested a woman for tearing up petitions at a gathering site. One of Let’s Go Washington’s initiatives aims to give parents increased access to their children’s educational records, while the other seeks to bar transgender athletes assigned male at birth from participating in female sports. The group needs approximately 308,000 signatures by January 2 to proceed with its initiatives.

If the signature goal is met, state lawmakers can choose to enact the initiatives or present them to voters in the November 2026 election. This situation highlights the contentious nature of current educational and sports policies in Washington state. Local leaders are emphasizing the importance of protecting democratic processes amid rising tensions.