Gregoire signs marriage bill

Timothy Kincaid

February 13th, 2012

Governor Chris Gregoire has just signed the marriage bill, adding Washington to the list of US states that provide (to the extent of a state’s power) equality under the law to their gay citizens. Should there be no challenge, this law will come into effect on July June 7.

There will, however, be a challenge. The Family Policy Institute of Washington – with the full support of the Roman Catholic Church – is organizing a petition drive. Should they collect 120,577 valid voter signatures by July June 6, the vote will be stayed until it is either confirmed or rejected by the voters on their November ballot. The odds are pretty good, but not certain, that the signatures can be collected (oddly, they had difficultly in collecting signatures in 2009 to put domestic partnerships up to a vote).

Hyhybt

February 13th, 2012

I’m bit confused; wasn’t it earlier reported that they’d have until July 6th to gather signatures?

Timothy Kincaid

February 13th, 2012

Ooops, sorry. That was my fault. Fixed.

Jim Burroway

February 13th, 2012

Actually, I’m seeing June 6/7 as the respective dates for the signatures and the date the law becomes effective if there are no signatures.

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Gay-marriage-legal-with-governor-s-signature-3311910.php

Reed Boyer

February 14th, 2012

And, in a further muddying of the waters, voila! Referendum 73 was announced late yesterday.

The referendum, re-stating the just-passed and signed law, would be “voted on by the people” (a phrase dear to conservatives). According to George Bakan and other savvy Seattlites, a “YES” vote would be needed. It would re-affirm the law.

A “NO” vote would wipe the just-signed law off the books before it would have a chance to take actual effect.

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