OLYMPIA—Supporters of I-2066 to protect natural gas as an energy choice and prevent gas bans have scheduled one last series of super signer events to help them crush their goal of 405,000 signatures by July 5.
With over 328,000 signatures returned as of June 26, supporters are optimistic they’ll get the remaining signatures they want to ensure Initiative 2066: Protect Energy Choice makes the November ballot.
By state law, they must submit 324,516 valid signatures from registered Washington voters to qualify. The Secretary of State’s office recommends a “cushion” of 15 to 20% in case some of the signatures collected are duplicates or from non-voters.
I-2066 protects reliable, affordable energy choices like natural gas and propane and prohibits gas bans in Washington.
“The support we’re seeing for this initiative from the public is truly remarkable,” said Greg Lane, Executive Vice President of the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW). “Natural gas provides warmth and comfort to more than a million Washington homes. It’s also the lifeblood of thousands of restaurants and businesses.
“The people of our state don’t want to trade their warmth, comfort and security to pay for a political agenda,” he said. “That’s why we’re seeing such strong support.”
Hundreds of locations to bring in signatures
BIAW is encouraging people to bring in all signed petitions as soon as possible, even if they’re not completely full. BIAW has partnered with Let’s Go Washington and other trade associations on another round of Super Signing Events on this last June weekend to gather signatures. Below are locations and dates for the last push:
- Super Signing Event – Issaquah
- Gaslamp Bar & Grill, 1315 NW Mall St
- Friday, June 28 from 3pm – 7pm
- Super Signing Event – Bellevue
- 222 112th Ave NE
- Saturday, June 29 from 9 am to 2 pm
- Super Signing Event – Lynnwood
- Lynnwood Motoplex, 17900 HWY 99
- Saturday, June 29 from 9 am – 2pm
- Super Signing Event – Sumas
- Sumas Community Days, Third St.
- Saturday, June 29 from 9am – 6pm
- Super Signing Event — Yakima
- Chalet Place Mall
- Saturday, June 29 from 9 am to 1 pm
- Super Signing Event – Marysville
- 5 Rights Brewery Company, 514 3rd Street
- Sunday, June 30 from 2 pm – 5 pm
Aside from super-signing events, Let’s Go Washington has hundreds of signing and petition drop-off locations around the state. They add new pop-up super signing events and drop-off locations every day so check back frequently.
*PLEASE CALL AHEAD: Locations may have turned in their packets already or may have changed hours, etc. Please call ahead to confirm availability.
If you can’t find a place to return your initiative, please contact Let’s Go Washington!
Read more about the initiative and see who’s supporting it. The group plans to deliver the initiative petitions on Friday, July 5.
SOURCE: Building Industry Association of Washington
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
