Harassment of initiative signature gatherers in WA sparks concerns

TACOMA — Reports of escalating confrontations toward political signature gatherers in Washington — including incidents of harassment, theft, and property damage — have prompted concern from state officials and renewed debate over protest boundaries, voter access and the safety of civic engagement.

At a news conference in Tacoma Tuesday, signature gatherer Tammy Lewis described multiple disturbing encounters, including one in which a woman stole signature sheets and then struck an uninvolved pedestrian in a hit-and-run. Later, while Lewis was filing a police report, another person threw her purse and signage into a garbage can, resulting in that individual’s arrest.

“It’s just nonstop, and it’s just very iffy,” Lewis said. “It makes you not feel at ease when you’re collecting signatures.”