Quick – what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words, “signature gathering” and “initiative”?

For some Democrats in the Legislature, the answer seems to be “Tim Eyman.” Eleven House members have sponsored two bills that seek to intimidate people who solicit signatures for initiatives. Others undoubtedly support the measures. They are clearly targeting Eyman, whose anti-government ballot measures have been a scourge of unions and other Democratic interest groups.

Nothing other than Eymanphobia, in fact, recommends these pieces of legislation. House Bill 2601 would require paid signature-gatherers to register – with address and photograph – with the Public Disclosure Commission. They would also have to swear they haven’t been convicted of sex offenses and fraud-related crimes.

If they don’t, or if they provide false information, the signatures they gather are voided.

HB 2019 is simpler: It would require all signature-gatherers to provide their names and addresses on their petitions.

Both bills would have only one effect: Scaring people who gather signatures for contentious measures. Of necessity, signatures are gathered in public. The gatherers are already in a vulnerable position and exposed to abuse – which they do get. Giving opponents access to their addresses creates the very real possibility that the abuse will follow them to their doorsteps.

HB 2601 is particularly punitive. Why should citizens who support a ballot measure have their signatures thrown out because they unknowingly signed a petition offered by one of society’s untouchables? What difference does it make if a gatherer was once convicted of a sex offense? This takes the witch hunt against even minor, years-ago sex offenders to a new level.

But witch hunts are not the point. The point is to associate sex offenses, identity theft and the like with signature-gatherers – without any evidence that they are more prone to criminality than, say, government employees. It is smear by legislation.

We have found little to admire in Eyman’s initiatives ourselves; most of them have been wrecking balls. But going after the initiative process out of distaste for Eyman is like dismantling the jury system because you didn’t like the O. J. Simpson verdict.

In Washington, the gathering of signatures is guaranteed by the state constitution and is an extension of a First Amendment liberty: petitioning the government. The Legislature should keep its hands off the process. When the word “initiative” comes up in the Legislature, here’s what should come to mind: “constitutional right.”