1% Makes a Big Difference: Anti-gay referendum declared legit in Washington state; petition signatures face legal battle
”Unofficial and incomplete figures from the state Elections Division shows Referendum 71 with sufficient signatures to make the Nov. 3 General Election ballot in Washington…. Sponsors, a campaign group called Protect Marriage Washington, submitted nearly 138,00o signatures on July 25, needing 120,577 to secure a ballot spot. As of Monday evening, after all signatures were checked, state checkers accepted 121,617 signatures — a pad of 1,040 signatures.”
The unfortunate yet inevitable conclusion by the Washington state Elections Division which is saying that it has received just enough valid signatures from an anti-gay group called Protect Marriage Washington for Referendum 71 (a/k/a R-71). It is now very likely to appear on the next election ballot. It seeks to overturn Senate Bill 5688 that expanded certain rights to people in domestic partnerships. That bill was primarily intended to offer marriage-like benefits and responsibilities to gay and lesbian couples who are prevented from being married in the state of Washington at this time. David Ammons of the the Secretary of State’s office has said that this is likely the “narrowest margin in history.” (Washington Secretary of State)
”Based on what the Attorney General’s Opinion says, if the declaration is not printed on the back of the petitions, our office will reject the petition sheets. Under the Attorney General’s opinion, the declaration does not have to be signed. If it is not signed, our office will not reject the petition sheets. Since 2006, we have consistently advised all initiatives and referendum sponsors that they do not have to submit signed declarations on the back. They do have to submit petition sheets with the declaration printed on the back.”
Nick Handy, Washington State Elections Director, doing his best to explain why a number of the petitions for anti-gay ballot measure, R-71, were accepted even though they were not signed on the back by the petition gatherer as the law requires. A lawsuit over the matter has been filed, and Superior Court Judge Julie Spector is said to have already heard arguments today. The pro-gay supporters also want to know if it is ”valid to accept signatures of people who signed up to become voters at the same time they signed petitions.” The State Secretary’s blog also addresses a number of questions about the confusing effect of Referendum 71. Apparently, gay-supportive voters will not be trying to reject Referendum 71; rather, they are would be voting to accept the original Senate Bill 5688 (a/k/a the ”Everything but Marriage” Bill). (Washington Secretary of State)
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