On September 23, the West Virginia Supreme Court ruled that the names and addresses of people who sign petitions for ballot measures may be released to the public.  The 14-page decision is The Shepherdstown Observer v Maghan, 35446.  The particular petition at issue was a referendum petition on zoning.  Proponents of the petition drive did not allege that signers of their petition faced harassment.

In 1968 the West Virginia Supreme Court had ruled that signatures on the petition that placed George Wallace on the general election ballot were not public records.  The new decision does not override that precedent.  Instead it makes a distinction between the two types of petitions.  Thanks to Jeff Becker for this news.