Yes, that's it. Judging only by the page I linked to, I'm inclined to think that they are hoping that enough people will be frightened or embarrassed by being publicly exposed that they will disavow their signature and fill out a fraud complaint, which the website conveniently provides. If enough people do that, they can argue there were insufficient signatures. They have 2 years to do it, because it takes votes in two state legislative sessions before the subject can be brought to the voters of Massachusetts. (The subject doesn't have to carry in either legislative vote, just amass at least 20% or 25% support.) I believe that this provision is unique to Massachusetts
As you say, "not that it makes any difference" who did this. I agree.
Californians have a long tradition of initiative and referendum, and can be quite contentious about them, and some results have rankled losers for years and years. If people knew their name would be in a widely available database, searchable years later, of supporters of such things as legalized marijuana, the California coastal zone commission, six or seven insurance industry-related proposals, recalls of officeholders, property tax measures, education-related issues, union issues, health and healthcare issues. The list is endless and the opportunities for retribution endless. |
