A ballot initiative proposing to repeal adult-use recreational marijuana is facing another challenge to the authenticity of its nomination signatures.
On Wednesday, Kevin Gilnack filed an objection with Secretary of State William Galvin’s office disputing the validity of signatures filed in support of the ballot question.
In the seven-page objection, Gilnack said “numerous” signatures were “obtained through fraudulent means” and were not “genuine.” Also, Gilnack said there were signatures from voters who had later requested their names be removed from the petitions.
As a result, Gilnack contends the committee backing the ballot question did not file the necessary 12,429 certified signatures to secure a spot on November’s ballot. That marked the final batch of signatures petitioners had to collect after a panel of lawmakers decided that none of the initiative petitions brought before them this year warranted legislative attention.
Earlier this year, the initiative petition survived other objections to its nomination signatures. And in June, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the initiative petition could move forward onto the ballot after opponents argued that Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s summary of the proposal was not fair.
Wendy Wakeman, chair of the ballot committee backing the ballot proposal, stood behind the signatures when asked about the latest challenge.
“This is one last desperate attempt to keep our question off the ballot,” Wakeman told the News Service, adding she and other proponents “stand by the signatures.”
The State Ballot Law Commission plans to hold hearings on the objection beginning July 15. If needed, hearings will continue on July 16 and July 17.
Katie Castellani is a reporter for State House News Service and State Affairs Pro reach her at kcastellani@statehousenews.com.
