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News & ArtsMonday, August 31, 2009
Homo R-71 Has Enough Signatures for Ballot
Posted by Dominic Holden on Mon, Aug 31, 2009 at 2:42 PM
The anti-gay measure to put the rights of over 5,000 same-sex couples up to a public vote has enough signatures to qualify for the general-election ballot. Writes secretary of state's office spokesman David Ammons:
Signature-checkers passed the 121,000 mark this afternoon; 120,577 was the bare minimum required. The tally is incomplete and unofficial, but the continuing check today and tomorrow should give R-71 sponsors in the neighborhood of a 1,000-signature margin, one of the narrowest margins in state history. The referendum gives voters the chance to accept or reject a new “everything but marriage” expansion of domestic partner benefits in Washington. The bill is Senate Bill 5688. Here is our blog post, including comments from Secretary of State Sam Reed and Elections Director Nick Handy. A later update will link to the day’s-end report. Reed will certify the results on Wednesday morning.
However, this doesn't guarantee the measure will appear on the ballot. A lawsuit filed last week, which seeks to disqualify over 30,000 signatures, is still churning through King County Superior Court. And the referendum could face additional litigation. "This is simply saying that our counters have found 121,486 valid signatures, in their view, and any litigation could of course affect that number," says Ammons. Secretary of State Sam Reed is expected to certify the results on Wednesday, and that will kick-off a five-day window to challenge the referendum in Thurston County Superior Court.
2
Really simple: Just keep repeating the mantra of "Approve R-71". Tweet it, write it on your facebook wall, e-mail it to family and friends east of the cascades.
Let's netroots this thing.
Let's netroots this thing.
3
Here's hoping queers, allies and right thinking individuals in our state can foment a more effective anti-Ref 71 campaign than those in California could against their Ref-8.
4
@3: Um, no, not anti-Ref-71, we're PRO Referendum 71. You must APPROVE R-71. Read the ballot language.
5
It's going to be tough. Remember, they can lie with impunity, just like the Prop 8 folks did. They'll make it sound like it's all about protecting children. It's hard to counteract the raw emotional appeal of that.
6
In the interest of being a smug bastard, I'd like to point out that The Stranger said this would never happen because that wife beater Larry Stickney just didn't have enough time to gather signatures, voters in this state are too progressive, ect. You were wrong, and you should feel bad.
7
But wait, I was told we had people working for the Secretary of State's office who would reject enough signatures for this to "go away".
Oh fuck, sorry - I thought Loveschild was serious.
Oh fuck, sorry - I thought Loveschild was serious.
10
One way or another, the pro traditional marriage foes are dead set on silencing the people. Given the poor decision made by the PDC it shouldn't be of a surprise to any citizen that their now legally qualified signature could be overturned by another round of activist individuals.
No matter, the people have seen that their voice and votes do matter, that not remaining in silence even in the face of intimidation and threats will in the end get you closer to justice. Even when those in the higher ups refuse to protect you from possible attacks, we serve a mighty God and HE will deliver us and guide us into victory as he has shown us now.
No matter, the people have seen that their voice and votes do matter, that not remaining in silence even in the face of intimidation and threats will in the end get you closer to justice. Even when those in the higher ups refuse to protect you from possible attacks, we serve a mighty God and HE will deliver us and guide us into victory as he has shown us now.
11
Well, I know my rights are at stake (thought there is no one I can see myself wanting to get married to) but on a lighter note; the ads the pro-family types are going to run should be quite entertaining in a dark-sick sorta way.
12
Please help protect domestic partnerships by approving referendum 71. We must all do our part now. The time to wait is over.
http://www.approvereferendum71.org
http://www.approvereferendum71.org
13
Loveschild, I forgot to tell you.... HE called and HE thinks you're a real idiot.
HE also wanted me to tell you that HE isn't a HE. HE's actually a gender you never heard of, even when you were doing those mixed species sex shows down in Tijuana back in the 70's.
HE also said that if you don't stop talking about this, he's going to bring your warts back, and I don't think HE's kidding. (HE called you a skank!)
HE also wanted me to tell you that HE isn't a HE. HE's actually a gender you never heard of, even when you were doing those mixed species sex shows down in Tijuana back in the 70's.
HE also said that if you don't stop talking about this, he's going to bring your warts back, and I don't think HE's kidding. (HE called you a skank!)
14
@10: Hahahahahahahahahahahaha, Gary Randall quotes white supremacist websites and his lawyer is a white supremacist birther and you think they're doing this in your best interest?
Karma, baby.
Karma, baby.
15
I'm still confused. If a citizen signs a referendum petition on June 1st, and he then registers to vote on July 1st, and his signature is checked for validity on August 1st -- does that signature count...or not?
17
Oh come on - this could be a lot of fun! I've already come up with the bumper stickers and yard signs.
No interlocked wedding rings, pink triangles or anything like that. Just statements like this:
PROTECT TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE! YES ON R-71!
DEFEND THE FAMILY! YES ON R-71!
PRESERVE CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE! YES ON R-71!
YES ON R-71! PROTECT OUR CHILDREN!
KEEP THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF OUR CHURCHES! APPROVE R-71!
And if we really want to mess with them, how about these?
WE PAY ENOUGH TAXES ALREADY! YES ON R-71!
KEEP RURAL WASHINGTON RURAL! YES ON R-71
PROPERTY RIGHTS AREN'T SPECIAL RIGHTS! VOTE YES ON R-71
KEEP FIREARMS LEGAL! YES ON R-71!
KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OUR CONSTITUTION! YES ON R-71!
PROTECT THE UNBORN! YES ON R-71!
KEEP SEATTLE OUT OF OUR BUSINESS! YES ON R-71
No interlocked wedding rings, pink triangles or anything like that. Just statements like this:
PROTECT TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE! YES ON R-71!
DEFEND THE FAMILY! YES ON R-71!
PRESERVE CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE! YES ON R-71!
YES ON R-71! PROTECT OUR CHILDREN!
KEEP THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF OUR CHURCHES! APPROVE R-71!
And if we really want to mess with them, how about these?
WE PAY ENOUGH TAXES ALREADY! YES ON R-71!
KEEP RURAL WASHINGTON RURAL! YES ON R-71
PROPERTY RIGHTS AREN'T SPECIAL RIGHTS! VOTE YES ON R-71
KEEP FIREARMS LEGAL! YES ON R-71!
KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OUR CONSTITUTION! YES ON R-71!
PROTECT THE UNBORN! YES ON R-71!
KEEP SEATTLE OUT OF OUR BUSINESS! YES ON R-71
18
@15: The way the state has been interpreting the rules, you could register to vote any time up to when the final check is done and have your signature be considered valid.
19
@17: I love it...only problem is, the only people likely to do such a thing will be driving around western Washington, where they'll be confusing the people we *don't* want confused. ;)
21
so who will Dan blame for this?
the blacks?
the evangelicals?
the mormons?
the catholic bishops?
little green men?
can't wait to hear...
the blacks?
the evangelicals?
the mormons?
the catholic bishops?
little green men?
can't wait to hear...
22
"No matter, the people have seen that their voice and votes do matter, that not remaining in silence even in the face of intimidation and threats will in the end get you closer to justice. Even when those in the higher ups refuse to protect you from possible attacks, we serve a mighty God and HE will deliver us and guide us into victory as he has shown us now."
Your martyr complex is as precious as it is childish. Even if all the heterosexuals in the world believed gays were undeserving of marriage, which they don't, it wouldn't make things right. Also, God doesn't care who gets married or not. Organized religion and the state do :)
Your martyr complex is as precious as it is childish. Even if all the heterosexuals in the world believed gays were undeserving of marriage, which they don't, it wouldn't make things right. Also, God doesn't care who gets married or not. Organized religion and the state do :)
24
I think there are two big questions that will decide whether the law is overturned:
1. Are Washington voters as gullible as California voters? Can they be convinced that this is not about domestic partnerships, but about marriage, church freedom, and Protecting The Children?
2. What will turnout be like? It's an off-year election. Traditionally, when conservative initiatives/referenda are successful, it's because King County doesn't turn out to vote.
1. Are Washington voters as gullible as California voters? Can they be convinced that this is not about domestic partnerships, but about marriage, church freedom, and Protecting The Children?
2. What will turnout be like? It's an off-year election. Traditionally, when conservative initiatives/referenda are successful, it's because King County doesn't turn out to vote.
26
Loveschild you are wrong, what we see IS DEMOCRACY in action. This IS what AMERICA is about. One group attempts to strip another of civil rights, said group fights back. That is what America is about; fighting for one's rights; in the voting booth, in the courts, and in our past in the streets. Should you object to our Democratic way of life, I suggest you head to a country ruled by the radical Religious extremists you support (say Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia).
Radical Religious extremists that think putting civil rights up for a public vote is some how Democratic are tearing apart the fabric that makes America strong.
APPROVE REF-71 Protect ALL families and Protect ALL Children.
Radical Religious extremists that think putting civil rights up for a public vote is some how Democratic are tearing apart the fabric that makes America strong.
APPROVE REF-71 Protect ALL families and Protect ALL Children.
27
imagine come election day, this thing gets less than 120k votes. All those signatures wasted because nobody understood what way to vote or why they are voting anymore.
29
@15 - The registration date is probably a non-issue at this point. According to the Sec State's office, only about 30 signees were registered after the petitions were turned in.
What is a little more mind-bending, however, is the rational used by McKenna in determining that the petitions don't actually need to be signed by the signature gatherer. The AG's ruling on that is truly a headbanger to read. There may be more merit to the lawsuit on that front, but the problem is that the Sec State's office has been instructing gatherers that they do not need to sign the certification. So even if the lawsuit wins, the signatures may still be allowed to count.
It looks like this thing will really be on the ballot. Unreal.
What is a little more mind-bending, however, is the rational used by McKenna in determining that the petitions don't actually need to be signed by the signature gatherer. The AG's ruling on that is truly a headbanger to read. There may be more merit to the lawsuit on that front, but the problem is that the Sec State's office has been instructing gatherers that they do not need to sign the certification. So even if the lawsuit wins, the signatures may still be allowed to count.
It looks like this thing will really be on the ballot. Unreal.
30
Election officials continue to say "this is the way we always done it" yet you didn't use the new registration databases until the 16th day of counting (8/21/09) when the rejection rate was approaching 12.43% and you didn't use "master checkers" until the 6th of counting (8/07/09) after the rejection rate passed 12.43%.
Let's go back and review.
8/06/09 - Rejection rate 13.54%
The next day "master checkers" came in for the first time to look at only the already rejected signatures.
8/07/09 - Rejection rate 11.63%
As a result of "master checkers" look at the already rejected signatures the rejection rate dropped from 13.54% to 11.63%. Then on Monday and Tuesday of the following week "junior checkers" and "master checkers" looked at the already rejected signature AGAIN. That's FOUR looks at the rejected signatures with FOUR different numbers.
8/11/09 - Rejection rate 10.42%
After looking at the already rejected signatures for a third and fourth time the rejection rate dropped to 10.42%, the lowest level the rejection rate ever been. It is standard for the rejection rate to climb as the counting continues, obviously on 8/06/09 R-71 had no chance of making the ballot and was given three more shots by election officials to lower the rejection rate by only looking at the already rejected signatures three more times.
8/12/09 - Rejection rate 10.65%
8/13/09 - Rejection rate 10.68%
8/14/09 - Rejection rate 10.99%
8/17/09 - Rejection rate 11.03%
8/18/09 - Rejection rate 11.32%
8/19/09 - Rejection rate 11.67%
8/20/09 - Rejection rate 11.97%
From 8/12/09 to 8/20/09 the rejection rate climbed EVERY day. It became clear with a rejection rate heading over the needed amount and with 35.9% of signatures still to be looked at something had to be done. Magically the next day election officials "found" new registration databases. Election officials decide to look at all the already rejected signatures with the new databases over an extended period not the one through way they did on 8/07/009, 8/10/09, and 8/11/09. As a result over the next few days the percent of "registration not found" goes down from 10% on 8/20/09 to 9.38% on 8/28/09.
8/21/09 - Rejection rate 11.68%
Has anyone else noticed election officials decided to change procedures on Fridays (8/07/09 and 8/21/09) when people (like journalists) would leave work for the week and when it became clear this referendum wouldn't make the ballot?
More...
Let's go back and review.
8/06/09 - Rejection rate 13.54%
The next day "master checkers" came in for the first time to look at only the already rejected signatures.
8/07/09 - Rejection rate 11.63%
As a result of "master checkers" look at the already rejected signatures the rejection rate dropped from 13.54% to 11.63%. Then on Monday and Tuesday of the following week "junior checkers" and "master checkers" looked at the already rejected signature AGAIN. That's FOUR looks at the rejected signatures with FOUR different numbers.
8/11/09 - Rejection rate 10.42%
After looking at the already rejected signatures for a third and fourth time the rejection rate dropped to 10.42%, the lowest level the rejection rate ever been. It is standard for the rejection rate to climb as the counting continues, obviously on 8/06/09 R-71 had no chance of making the ballot and was given three more shots by election officials to lower the rejection rate by only looking at the already rejected signatures three more times.
8/12/09 - Rejection rate 10.65%
8/13/09 - Rejection rate 10.68%
8/14/09 - Rejection rate 10.99%
8/17/09 - Rejection rate 11.03%
8/18/09 - Rejection rate 11.32%
8/19/09 - Rejection rate 11.67%
8/20/09 - Rejection rate 11.97%
From 8/12/09 to 8/20/09 the rejection rate climbed EVERY day. It became clear with a rejection rate heading over the needed amount and with 35.9% of signatures still to be looked at something had to be done. Magically the next day election officials "found" new registration databases. Election officials decide to look at all the already rejected signatures with the new databases over an extended period not the one through way they did on 8/07/009, 8/10/09, and 8/11/09. As a result over the next few days the percent of "registration not found" goes down from 10% on 8/20/09 to 9.38% on 8/28/09.
8/21/09 - Rejection rate 11.68%
Has anyone else noticed election officials decided to change procedures on Fridays (8/07/09 and 8/21/09) when people (like journalists) would leave work for the week and when it became clear this referendum wouldn't make the ballot?
31
This should bring out Seattle's GLBT vote in November and has me thiking a Murray write in campaign is both more likely and more likely to succeed.
32
I'd just like to be the first to say "go fuck yourselves" to Washington State voters, who're no doubt champing at the bit to reject R-71, if they even think about it at all, which they don't.
34
Yeah, my Almighty doesn't tell me whose lifestyle to approve of, though lying is kind of proscribed by the Ten Commandments. Funny, i was always taught at as Christians, we are to essay to echo the works of Christ. Jesus wasn't about the hate last i checked.
I think "Protect Marriage Washington" (this isn't about marriage, protection, or even Washington...almost all their prime movers and signature-gathering Hessians aren't from WA) probably doesn't care about lying or the Almighty one bit, just hating queers and lining their pockets.
It's time to stand up to outsiders, liars, faux-religious types, and the overall let's tell Washington what to do crap. I know that to outsiders we're all just ignorant hayseeds with the initiative process, but i'm done with coddling hatred and trying to play nice.
I think "Protect Marriage Washington" (this isn't about marriage, protection, or even Washington...almost all their prime movers and signature-gathering Hessians aren't from WA) probably doesn't care about lying or the Almighty one bit, just hating queers and lining their pockets.
It's time to stand up to outsiders, liars, faux-religious types, and the overall let's tell Washington what to do crap. I know that to outsiders we're all just ignorant hayseeds with the initiative process, but i'm done with coddling hatred and trying to play nice.
35
After the fiasco of Prop 8 Dan lashed out and declared a boycott of Utah because mean old California(?!) had snatched marriage away from the gays (perhaps too much buttsex warps one's sense of geography?)
But instead of wiping out the Bigots! and Assholes! in their nest it seems some prankster here in Washington has pulled Dan's trousers down around his knees and kicked him in the ass-
We are so preoccupied with events in Utah and California that we can't be bothered working for progress at home.
Rallying support here in Seattle evidently is not as much fun as railing against the Mormons and Carrie Prejean or going on Larry King.
So it looks like Dan's reign as America's Gay Princess Spokesmodel may be coming to an early and tragic end with nary an accomplishment to show.
Come on, Dan!
Do something!!
Find some doorknobs to lick!!!
But instead of wiping out the Bigots! and Assholes! in their nest it seems some prankster here in Washington has pulled Dan's trousers down around his knees and kicked him in the ass-
We are so preoccupied with events in Utah and California that we can't be bothered working for progress at home.
Rallying support here in Seattle evidently is not as much fun as railing against the Mormons and Carrie Prejean or going on Larry King.
So it looks like Dan's reign as America's Gay Princess Spokesmodel may be coming to an early and tragic end with nary an accomplishment to show.
Come on, Dan!
Do something!!
Find some doorknobs to lick!!!
36
If you want to know how to fight bigotry and actually win some rights for lgbt people, watch this video and ignore Equal Rights Washington:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUNpm-uqY…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUNpm-uqY…
37
@36- Video ID is cut off (the end of the URL), could you repost that?
@Fellow Washingtonians- Let's show them that we can fight back.
@Fellow Washingtonians- Let's show them that we can fight back.
43
It is very important we all do everything we can to protect the domestic partnership law. Give time, give money, talk to your friends, neighbors and loved ones about how this will affect those in your family.
I know as a community we love to eat our leaders but now is not the time to play the blame game now is the time to step up!
If everyone I know who is employed would give $71, and everyone I knew who was unemployed were to give 7.1 hours a week we would be much farther along the path of victory then we are now.
Please donate to www.wafst.org you can find volunteer opportunities, donation opportunities, and FABULOUS logo wear.
I know as a community we love to eat our leaders but now is not the time to play the blame game now is the time to step up!
If everyone I know who is employed would give $71, and everyone I knew who was unemployed were to give 7.1 hours a week we would be much farther along the path of victory then we are now.
Please donate to www.wafst.org you can find volunteer opportunities, donation opportunities, and FABULOUS logo wear.
45
In the United States Constitution, the majority cannot vote away the rights of a minority. We need to throw every lawsuit, legal action, and protest to stop this injustice. If we don't win that, we will work to win this at the polls. If we don't win that, we will challenge the inequity with lawsuits, legislative actions, and protests We will keep coming back again and again and again, until we win.
Loveschild, gay people are not going away. We will never let this stand. We will continue to fight until we have our rights. Make no mistake, you will lose this in the long run.
Congrats to Vermont on Marriage equality!
Loveschild, gay people are not going away. We will never let this stand. We will continue to fight until we have our rights. Make no mistake, you will lose this in the long run.
Congrats to Vermont on Marriage equality!
46
45
your talk is cheap.
tedious, but cheap.
but when action is required the fundies keep kicking your butt.
dyke judges may be your best hope, bob.
(btw- who is 'We'?)
your talk is cheap.
tedious, but cheap.
but when action is required the fundies keep kicking your butt.
dyke judges may be your best hope, bob.
(btw- who is 'We'?)
47
Does the domestic partnership law also provide protections for unmarried heterosexual couples? If so, that should be a major component of the campaign, as I believe Washington state has a higher level of co-habitation than most other states.
48
by all means let's make it easier for people to shack up-
it's not like gay marriage will have any impact on other people's relationships, after all...
it's not like gay marriage will have any impact on other people's relationships, after all...
49
47, It specifically gives equal rights to same sex couples, as well as opposite sex senior couples over the age of 62. Younger heterosexual couples, who already have these rights via legal access to marriage are unaffected by the law.
51
#26: "what we see IS DEMOCRACY in action. This IS what AMERICA is about. One group attempts to strip another of civil rights, said group fights back. That is what America is about; fighting for one's rights; in the voting booth, in the courts, and in our past in the streets."
Sargon, you might not be aware of this, but Washington is one of the very few states in the country that has a ballot initiative process. In most states, getting something like this on the ballot would require it to go through the state legislature before it gets to the voters.
And America isn't a democracy; it's a republic. The whole reason why direct democracy is a stupid idea is because it opens the door to tyranny of the majority.
Sargon, you might not be aware of this, but Washington is one of the very few states in the country that has a ballot initiative process. In most states, getting something like this on the ballot would require it to go through the state legislature before it gets to the voters.
And America isn't a democracy; it's a republic. The whole reason why direct democracy is a stupid idea is because it opens the door to tyranny of the majority.
52
#51 - Western states, coming in the the USA, were caught up in a populist movement which spawned the strong state constitutional right to petition - via referenedum and initiative.
So, that is the way it is.
In this state, Washingon, yes GLBT rights are grist at the moment, but, the people's right to petition is sacred..... enshrined in our State Constitution and that is not going to change in this century - amending the Wa. constitution is VERY difficult requiring both legislative action by 2/3 vote of both houses, and majority public vote..
So, that is the way it is.
In this state, Washingon, yes GLBT rights are grist at the moment, but, the people's right to petition is sacred..... enshrined in our State Constitution and that is not going to change in this century - amending the Wa. constitution is VERY difficult requiring both legislative action by 2/3 vote of both houses, and majority public vote..
53
Now comes the hard work... for The Stranger!
Convincing a majority of people that PROP-71 IS GOOD and must be passed, following several months of PROP-71 IS EVIL memetic engineering.
(Just look in the previous comments if you need examples of how hard the work ahead is going to be.)
Convincing a majority of people that PROP-71 IS GOOD and must be passed, following several months of PROP-71 IS EVIL memetic engineering.
(Just look in the previous comments if you need examples of how hard the work ahead is going to be.)
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