Referendum 71 Effective 3 December 2009

As posted to the Secretary of State's blog for this past Friday explains, the expanded domestic-partnership protections authorized by SB 6588 and affirmed by Referendum 71 will take effect early next month:

The referendum, placed on the ballot by foes of expanded rights for state-registered domestic partners, has been on hold since it was passed by the Legislature earlier this year. If the vote holds, Senate Bill 5688 will go into effect Dec. 3. The election returns will be certified by Secretary of State Sam Reed and Gov. Chris Gregoire, probably on Dec. 1, but under provisions of the Constitution, a bill referred to voters and approved takes effect 30 days after Election Day, or Dec. 3 in this case.

Information on domestic partnerships (including the relevant form) for senior and same-sex couples may be found at the Secretary of State's web site.