Referendum 71, the measure that could overturn Washington’s state’s new “everything but marraige” law, has apparently received enough signatures to be placed on the November ballot: From The Seattle Times:
The secretary of state’s office said Monday that sponsors of Referendum 71 had 121,486 valid petition signatures – enough to put the newly expanded domestic partnership law to a public vote.
A secondary check of rejected signatures was not complete, so the number could increase.
The new law was supposed to take effect on July 26, but was delayed until the signature count was complete. Now, it won’t take effect unless it is approved in the Nov. 3 election.
The measure would expand existing domestic partnerships to give gay and lesbian couples all the state-provided benefits that married heterosexual couples have.
Also pending is a lawsuit filed by Washington Families Standing Together against the secretary of state. The pro-LGBT group believes that the secretary of state ignored signature requirements and rules.
1. September 2009 at 12:30 pm
APPROVE Referendum 71. Gay couples deserve the exact rights heterosexual couples have.
https://www.upwardstech.net/approvereferendum71
1. September 2009 at 12:46 pm
To clarify, Referendum 71 puts Washington state’s “everything-but-marriage” law recently given (but still suspended) to same-sex partners to a public vote. A “Yes” vote is a vote in favor of preserving those rights.
It can get all kinds of confusing. A referendum asks voters to uphold or nullify an act of the Legislature. A YES vote upholds the domestic partnerships law.