Thousands of signatures to repeal California's "transgender bathroom" law will be counted after state and county officials tried to refuse them. The law, which was set to go into effect January 1, has now been put on hold on account of the signatures.

A California judge has finalized an order that requires California Secretary of State Debra Bowen to accept thousands of signatures supporting an effort to repeal the state's transgender bathroom law. On the morning of January 2, Judge Allen Sumner of the Sacramento County Superior Court finalized his tentative ruling that requires Bowen to accept signatures from Tulare and Mono counties. Those signatures were delivered to county clerks' offices before the deadline, but weren't accepted until after the deadline.

The Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) filed suit against Bowen and county officials for refusing to accept the petition signatures challenging AB 1266, which was set to kick in on January 1. Bowen's office had the option to argue the decision in court, but chose not to do so.

According to Brad Dacus, president of PJI, California voters should be encouraged by Sumner's ruling.

"[It] strongly supports the fundamental right to have referendum signatures counted when they are delivered to county clerks ahead of the referendum deadline," he says. "These rights are too important for the secretary of state, or a county clerk, to play politics when they don't like a particular referendum."

This referendum placed on hold AB 1266, the California law allowing "self-identified transgender" students to choose which sex-segregated activities and facilities (e.g., locker rooms, bathrooms) they will use. If enough signatures are verified, the referendum would go before voters in November.

The attorney also points out Bowen has agreed with PJI on what she considers "less controversial" referenda that a law cannot go into effect when more than enough signatures have been delivered – despite the fact proponents and some media outlets are reporting otherwise.

"We ... are committed to protecting every boy and girl attending school in California," says Dacus. "And that's why we're working very hard to make sure that every valid signature is counted in a petition to repeal AB 1266."