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Election Law
GSK attorneys have been extensively involved in litigation related to the three elements of direct democracy in Washington — initiative, referendum, and recall. With extensive experience in drafting legislation, GSK can add significant value to those seeking to draft legislation or pursue an initiative on either the state or local level. GSK helped draft the first initiative in Snohomish County history and the first initiatives to be circulated in the Cities of Mukilteo, Renton and SeaTac.
One of the initial stages in the process is the selection of a ballot title by the Attorney General's Office. GSK has been involved in more than a dozen challenges to ballot titles, both in initiating challenges as well as defending the Attorney General's ballot title. For instance, GSK represented the Educational Excellence Coalition in a ballot title challenge to a charter school referendum and First Class Education of Washington regarding an initiative on prioritization of funding for classroom expenditures. GSK represented the Committee to Repeal Washington's Estate Tax and the sponsors of the $30 tabs initiatives.
Referendum and recall petitions involve similarly complex issues. GSK represented the Washington Farm Bureau, the Washington State Grange, the National Federation of Independent Business and the Building Industry Association of Washington in challenging the 2005 Legislature's "emergency clause" on its gutting of Initiative 601. GSK has represented clients seeking to remove local office holders from office by recall and has defended officials from recall petitions. GSK has the experience to benefit clients who are faced with issues that have both legal and political ramifications.
