{"argument_date":"2010-04-28T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2010-04-28T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2009","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","paragraphs":["James Bopp argued no person should face harassment for political participation.","Bopp claimed the First Amendment protects private associations from compelled disclosure.","Robert McKenna argued the public must identify errors and fraud in government.","Chief Justice Roberts asked if the First Amendment analysis applies to all cases."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 47-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 47-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 9-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 9-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 35-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 5-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 21-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 7-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 13-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 13-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 3-9"}]}],"caption":"Doe v. Reed","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:25.541881Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the sides that brought the case seek to block name disclosure. the opposing sides defend the public's right to know who supports a ballot measure.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 9-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 9-43"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2010-04-28T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2009","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/09-559.html","primary_docket":"09-559","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T01:07:04.908246Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["Washington law requires referendum signers to publish names. the sides that brought the case claim this chills speech. the opposing sides argue transparency serves the public interest."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 9-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 9-43"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 28, 2010."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want the Court to strike down the name-disclosure requirement.","the opposing sides want the Court to uphold the state's transparency law."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 9-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 9-43"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue compelled disclosure intimidates citizens and violates the First Amendment.","the opposing sides argue voters need signer identities to evaluate referendum support."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 9-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 9-43"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Scalia asked if requiring campaign contribution disclosure is similar.","Justice Sotomayor asked if voters care about signer occupations for tax measures."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 47-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 47-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 35-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 5-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 21-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 7-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 13-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 13-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 3-9"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the balance between voter privacy and public transparency. It shapes how citizens participate in ballot initiatives. It impacts future referendum campaigns nationwide."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 9-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 9-43"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 47-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 47-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 35-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 5-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 21-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 7-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 13-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 13-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 3-9"}]}],"slug":"2009-09-559-doe-v-reed","term":"2009","title":"Does Washington's law forcing referendum signers to reveal names violate free speech?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 9-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-559.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 9-43"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}