"referendum 71" News

The Supreme Court is getting involved for the second time this week in a case in which gay rights opponents fear publicity about them would lead to harassment.

I called out conservative Christians on the idea of putting yet another measure on the ballot try to take away civil rights protections for same sex couples. It didn't take long to hear back.

They claimed they just wanted to give voters a say. But, not happy with how the election went, conservative Christians want yet another shot to try and steal away the legal protections gays and lesbians have earned.

Sen. Ed Murray issued a statement Wednesday night saying that it was a "great day of celebration for the tens of thousands of gay and lesbian families in Washington, and for anyone who supports equality in our state and around the country."

Voters are narrowly approving Washington state's new "everything but marriage" law. With about 50 percent of the expected vote counted, Referendum 71 was leading 51 percent to 49 percent.

In addition, there are two big offices up for grabs in King County -- Seattle mayor and King County Executive, and polls show both going down to the wire.

The focus of this year's off-year election is a referendum on expanded domestic partnership rights for gay and senior couples.

On Tuesday, voters get the final say on whether they think lawmakers overstepped their bounds by passing a law granting registered domestic partners additional state-granted rights currently given only to married couples.

Referendum 71 appears to have won voters' support while Initiative 1033 has not, according to the results of the Washington Poll. In the race for Seattle mayor, the poll leader has changed and the gap has widened.

Conservative Christians want to take away the civil rights of gay and lesbian couples because they fear for the institution of marriage. I now understand their concerns and have this great idea to protect this sacred institution.

There's a huge influx of money into the Referendum 71 campaign, including $200,000 from a group that says it wants to protect family values.

A political action committee opposed to Washington state's expanded partnerships for gay couples has sued in federal court, arguing it should be exempt from the state's campaign finance laws.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday temporarily blocked Washington state officials from releasing the names of people who signed referendum petitions to bring expanded rights for gay couples up for a public vote in November.

Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy has temporarily blocked Washington state officials from releasing the names of people who signed a ballot measure on gay rights.