Domestic partnership foes file referendum

May 5, 9:36 AMWashington Law ExaminerMichael Reitz

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This past session the Washington Legislature passed an expansive domestic partnership bill. Senate Bill 5688, also known as the "everything but marriage bill" extends the benefits and responsibilities of married people to domestic partners who have registered with the state.

Opponents of this measure have filed a referendum to undo the law. This from the Secretary of State's office:

Opponents of Washington’s new “everything but marriage” domestic partnership law are hoping to force a statewide public vote on the issue this fall.

Larry Stickney, Arlington, president of Washington Values Alliance (Web site here), filed a referendum at the state Elections Division in Oly on Monday. Sponsors will have until July 25 to gather 120,577 valid voter signatures to qualify for the November 3 statewide ballot. Referendum 71 would allow voters to uphold the new law, Senate Bill 5688, or to reject it. Governor Gregoire has said she will sign the bill soon. It ordinarily would take effect July 26, but if referendum sponsors submit signatures, the new law will be suspended pending the signature verification and, if qualified, the vote in November. If voters uphold the law, it would take effect after the election is certified in December.