Petition Gatherers Challenge State Law

LAS VEGAS (CN) - A state law that threatens petition-gatherers with criminal prosecution if their forms contain bogus signatures is unconstitutional, two groups claim in Federal Court.

Lead plaintiff Sharron Angle, a former Nevada assemblywoman, wants the law enjoined.

Angle sued Nevada Secretary of State Ross Miller, joined by We the People, her Nevada-based ballot advocacy group, and Citizens in Charge, tax watchdogs.

Nevada's 2007 law requires petition gatherers to sign affidavits under penalty of perjury verifying the validity of the signatures.

Angle claims that "Circulators are 'chilled' and afraid of signing these affidavits because they might unknowingly allow individuals to sign who are not registered voters in Nevada, since there is no practical way to verify the voter's status while working in the field."

Angle, a Republican, represented Washoe County in the Nevada Assembly. She is seeking her party's nomination to challenge Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Angle is represented by Kermitt Waters.

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit