SSB 5382: A Direct Attack on Citizen-Led Government
—No widespread fraud in Washington’s initiative process.— —Voters rely on ballot initiatives and referenda to check government overreach.—
By Damon Townsend (February 21, 2025)
Washington’s initiative and referendum process is under attack. SSB 5382, currently moving through the legislature, is being sold as an effort to prevent fraud, but in reality, it’s a blatant attempt to make it harder for regular citizens to bring ballot measures forward. This bill doesn’t protect democracy—it protects politicians from accountability.
At the Cascade Party, we believe government should work for the people, not against them. Our platform is built on the idea that Washingtonians should have direct access to the lawmaking process. SSB 5382 makes that process harder, more bureaucratic, and more tilted in favor of career politicians and well-funded special interests.
Fixing a Problem That Doesn’t Exist
Let’s get one thing straight: there’s no widespread fraud in Washington’s initiative process. The Secretary of State’s office already verifies signatures to ensure they’re legitimate. Despite this, lawmakers behind SSB 5382 want to impose new requirements that will disqualify valid signatures over minor clerical errors.
One of the worst provisions in this bill requires that a signer’s address on a petition exactly match their voter registration. That means if someone forgets their apartment number or writes “Street” instead of “St.,” their signature could be tossed out. This doesn’t prevent fraud—it just creates another bureaucratic hurdle designed to reject more signatures.
Making Citizen-Led Efforts Nearly Impossible
Washington voters rely on ballot initiatives and referenda to check government overreach. This bill is a direct assault on that power. Under SSB 5382, signature gatherers would be required to sign a sworn declaration under penalty of false swearing. That sounds harmless until you realize what it actually does—it deters everyday people from participating in the process.
Many grassroots campaigns rely on volunteers to collect signatures. Those volunteers, who are just trying to help a cause they believe in, shouldn’t have to worry about legal consequences for honest mistakes. This provision isn’t about stopping fraud—it’s about scaring off volunteers and making it harder for citizen-led campaigns to succeed.
And who benefits from these new rules? Not voters. Not small grassroots groups trying to get an issue on the ballot. The only ones who win here are entrenched politicians and powerful special interests that don’t want to deal with direct democracy.
Cascade Party Stands for Citizen Action
SSB 5382 is a perfect example of how politicians use "election integrity" as an excuse to restrict citizen participation instead of encouraging it. If lawmakers were serious about making the initiative process better, they’d be working to simplify signature verification, not complicate it.
At the Cascade Party, we believe in:
✔️ Keeping the initiative process accessible by ensuring valid signatures aren’t rejected over technicalities.
✔️ Protecting grassroots campaigns from unnecessary legal threats.
✔️ Ensuring a level playing field so citizens—not just well-funded organizations—can qualify initiatives.
✔️ Take Action Before It’s Too Late
SSB 5382 isn’t law yet, but it’s moving fast. If you believe in direct democracy, now is the time to act.
Call Your Legislators—It Matters.
✔️ Phone calls make a real impact. State legislators pay far more attention to calls than emails because they know it takes effort to pick up the phone. A flood of calls against SSB 5382 can stop it.
✔️ Call the Washington State Legislature Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 to leave a message for your state senator and representatives.
Find Your Legislators on VoteWA.gov.
✔️ Go to VoteWA.gov and enter your information to see who represents you in Olympia. Once you know their names, call their offices directly and tell them to vote NO on SSB 5382.
Spread the Word.
✔️ Share this message. Tell your friends, family, and neighbors what’s happening. Most people don’t realize their right to petition is being undermined.
Support the Cascade Party.
We’re fighting to keep government transparent, accountable, and in the hands of the people. Stand with us.
This bill is nothing more than a power grab designed to silence voters. We won’t stand for it. Neither should you. Call today.
Damon Townsend is a Cascade Party board Member, representing district 3/6. He has experience in government administration.
(Image: Mark Pickerel)
CASCADE PARTY of WASHINGTON PO Box 28004 Seattle, WA 98118
