What could go wrong?

A group called WhoSigned.org says it will publicize the names of people signing petitions for Referendum 71, which seeks a public vote to overturn a new expansion of Washington’s same-sex partnerships…

In a statement Monday, WhoSigned.org says it expects people who see the names online to contact the signers for what may be uncomfortable talks about gay rights.

That’s as good as euphemism as any for what they have in mind. If it’s all about pressuring opponents of gay rights with boycotts and “direct action” of various sorts, legitimate and otherwise, why allow a secret ballot at all? Force everyone to sign on the dotted line at the polling place and then publish their names. That’s what this amounts to in practice anyway.