9th Circuit Hears Oral Arguments By Proposition 8 Backers For Disclosure Exemption

On Friday, the U.S.9th Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in ProtectMarriage.com - Yes on 8 v. Bowen. (Audio of full arguments.) As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, at issue is the attempt by backers of California's 2008 Proposition 8 to avoid California's required filing of the names of contributors of $100 or more to the campaign to pass the now-overturned Prop 8 ban on same-sex marriage. Appellants say that backers have already suffered vandalism, hate mail, boycotts and death threats. While the names of contributors have already been released by state court order, appellants want the federal court to order the state to remove the names from its website, seal its files, and grant a filing exemption for future elections.