News Releases

Individuals now have a much improved opportunity to register to vote when they sign up for public benefits, thanks to efforts made by the state to improve compliance with the Ntl. Voter Registration Act.

Three former CIA prisoners represented by the ACLU filed a lawsuit today against the two psychologists who designed and implemented the CIA’s torture program. Filed in federal court in Spokane, the suit alleges war crimes and unlawful human experimentation.

An ACLU-WA lawsuit says Benton County is violating the Constitution by jailing, threatening to jail, or forcing manual labor on people who are too poor to pay court-imposed debts. 

The ACLU-WA and allies are pointing local officials statewide to an important Dept. of Justice brief. It explains that when there is insufficient shelter space, cities that prosecute homeless people for sleeping or camping in public places violate the Constitution’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.

"Today’s ruling is a victory for freedom, equality, and love."

Governor Inslee today signed into law a bill restricting the use of cell site simulator devices (popularly known as “Stingrays”). The measure (HB 1440) requires that a judge find there is probable cause that use of a Stingray will lead to evidence of criminal activity, and it includes judicial education and data retention provisions that are the first of their kind in the nation.

The ACLU of Washington is urging the Washington State Supreme Court to reject a proposal to increase monetary penalties for traffic infractions, saying that doing so will unfairly burden the poor and people of color.

Several dozen leading substance abuse prevention and treatment professionals and public health experts, along with the Initiative 502 sponsors, wrote to the Washington Legislature urging that earmarked tax revenue under I-502 not be raided for other purposes.

In a bipartisan action, the Washington Legislature has approved legislation to regulate government use of cell site simulator devices, better known as Stingrays. The bill, HB 1440 – “Prohibiting the use of a cell site simulator device without a warrant,” passed the House by a unanimous vote yesterday after the Senate also had passed it unanimously. It now awaits Governor Inslee’s signature to become law.

The Everett City Council last night voted 4-2 to reject laws on panhandling that the ACLU of Washington had criticized as unconstitutional and unnecessary. The ACLU today praised the City Council’s action.