Referendum 74
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R-74 unlikely to bring financial boon to East Side
If Washington voters approve same-sex marriage next month, eastbound drivers on Interstate 90 wouldn’t hit another county where same-sex couples could marry until entering New York. Spokane County Auditor Vicky Dalton says Spokane’s border location may increase the number of out-of-state same-sex couples who arrive here to marry, but other factors may keep that number relatively low.
Obama backs Ref. 74
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Spin Control: Times political ads might not be money well spent
OLYMPIA – The biggest news in the state’s political campaigns last week probably was not made by a politician or group working for or against a ballot measure. Instead, it was made by the Seattle Times Co., with a decision to run a full-page ad in support of Republican Rob McKenna’s gubernatorial bid, at no cost to the McKenna campaign.
Washington voters will decide fate of same-sex marriages
OLYMPIA – Three years ago, Washington voters approved an “everything but marriage” law, giving same-sex couples all the state-granted rights and benefits that married couples have. Now voters will decide whether to take the next step and allow marriage for all couples in the state, regardless of sexual orientation – something that has not yet been achieved by a public vote. Referendum 74 asks people to either approve or reject the state’s new law legalizing same-sex marriage. That law, passed earlier this year, is on hold pending next month’s vote.
Anti-gay marriage group airs TV advertisements
OLYMPIA – The group fighting to overturn Washington’s gay marriage law started running its first TV ads in the state on Thursday. The 30-second ad from Preserve Marriage Washington is running statewide on both broadcast and cable channels.
Plenty of Spokane’s faithful supporting Referendum 74
As the campaign for Referendum 74 rolls along, you might fall under the impression that people of faith – all of them – are opposed to gay marriage. That this historic vote before us is a battle between the godless and the godly. Or at least the insufficiently godly with those who are properly so.
Spokane bishop urges ‘no’ on R-74
Spokane’s Catholic bishop is urging members of his diocese to vote against the same-sex marriage law that will appear on the Nov. 6 ballot. In a letter to parishioners available at weekend services, the Rev. Blase Cupich contends that if Referendum 74 passes, it will redefine marriage and create “a major shift in an institution that serves as the foundation stone of society.” He called same-sex marriage a passionate issue and called for respectful debate that would “generate light rather than heat.”
Amazon’s Bezos boosts R-74
OLYMPIA – A campaign to ratify same-sex marriage in Washington received $2.5 million from the founder of Amazon.com. Washington United for Marriage, which is pushing approval of Referendum 74 on the Nov. 6 ballot, announced the contribution from Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos on Friday. A spokesman said it was the largest single donation in the country to a campaign to legalize same-sex marriage.
Forgeries suspected among R-74 signatures
OLYMPIA – Some 1,000 signatures submitted to put the same-sex marriage law on the November ballot are suspected forgeries, state officials said Monday. State elections workers checking petitions for Referendum 74 flagged a total of 51 sheets where the signatures looked similar. Checking the signatures on the petitions with the signatures the state has on file for all voters produced 1,001 signatures that don’t match the official records.
Backers hope Pride Parade rallies referendum fight
Spokane held its 21st annual Pride Parade on Saturday, less than a week after same-sex marriage opponents blocked a state law legalizing gay marriage from taking effect. A stream of colors flowed through downtown from Main and Riverside avenues to Post and Stevens streets as thousands filed in and dressed up in extravagant costumes to watch or show support.
Signatures filed to block gay marriage until vote
OLYMPIA – Washington’s gay marriage law was blocked from taking effect Wednesday, as opponents filed more than 200,000 signatures seeking a public vote on the issue in November. Preserve Marriage Washington submitted the signatures just a day before the state was to begin allowing same-sex marriages. State officials will review the signatures over the next week to determine if proposed Referendum 74 will qualify for a public vote, though the numbers suggest the measure will make the ballot easily.