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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Supporters of gay partnerships sue over referendum

Richard La Corte Associated Press
OLYMPIA — Supporters of the state’s expanded domestic partnership law are suing elections officials, hoping to keep a referendum of the law off the November ballot. Washington Families Standing Together sued Secretary of State Sam Reed in King County Superior Court on Thursday. The case was assigned to King County Superior Court Judge Julie Spector. Hearings are expected early next week. Another group, called Protect Marriage Washington, wants a public vote on the expanded partnerships, in hopes of overturning broader domestic partnerships for gay couples. Partnership opponents turned in more than 137,000 petition signatures last month in their effort to make the ballot. The secretary of state’s office says the signature checking process should be completed by Tuesday.