Declares an intent to require that valid voter signatures on initiative and referendum petitions be counted by the secretary of state. To disenfranchise a valid voter signature solely because of a signature gatherer's conduct is inconsistent with our state Constitution, as expounded by the Washington supreme court in Sudduth v. Chapman, 88 Wn.2d 274, 558 P.2d 806 (1977). If the voter's signature on a petition matches the signature on the voter's registration, then the valid voter's signature must be counted.

Provides that every person who gathers signatures for this petition is warned that, under chapter 29A.84 RCW, forgery of signatures on this petition constitutes a class C felony, and that offering any consideration or gratuity to any person to induce them to sign a petition is a gross misdemeanor, such violations being punishable by fine or imprisonment or both. Every person who interferes with the signature gathering process is warned that, under RCW 9A.46.020, any conduct constituting harassment against a petition signature gatherer is a gross misdemeanor, such violations being punishable by fine or imprisonment or both. This penalty does not preclude the victim from seeking any other remedy otherwise available under law.

Provides that initiative and referendum petitions shall not require the signature gatherer to put their name, address, city, state, and zip code on the petition to ensure the safety of those individuals and to protect them from, and make them less susceptible to, intimidation, retaliation, or harassment.