The Advocate.com just released a report that opponents to LGBT equality in Washington are approaching nearly 100,000 signatures towards their goal of 125,000 to place referendum 71 on the November ballot. They also boast they have 1000 volunteers helping them get the last 25,000 signatures during the final week of signature gathering. Petitions are due July 25, 2009.
“If they come back in at the rate they’ve gone out, we’re going to get this thing,” he said on Thursday.
When asked whether signature authenticity may be a problem with so many volunteers, Stickney said he is not too worried with that process.
“[The secretary of state's office] will take a sampling, and make that determination,” he said. “Usually when you’re dealing with churchgoing folks, as we have in times past — the last time I headed an initiative, we had the highest percentage of validated signatures up to that point — we expect it to be pretty good.”
Washington Families Standing Together is mounting their final week push to prevent their attempt to repeal the domestic partnership expansion law of 2009. Volunteers are canvasing throughout the state and festivals and events. They ask their supporters to simply decline to sign petitions that say at the top, “Preserve Marriage, Protect Children.”
If the anti equality movement is successful voters will have to vote to approve referendum 71 to protect domestic partnerships.
