With the majority of counties reporting, Washington state seems poised to approve Referendum 71, affirming the rights of senior and same-sex domestic partners. Official results for the state and and Clark County may be viewed at the Secretary of State's web site.
With King County trending two-to-one in favor of domestic partnerships and a large portion of the uncounted votes in King County, approval of Referendum 71 seems statistically likely, making Washington the first state in the union to affirm domestic partnership rights by popular vote. All credit goes to the fair-minded voters of Washington state, who stood up for their neighbors, seniors and all families.
In the years to come many people will lie about how they voted. Those who voted against will claim to have voted for this, just as many who opposed civil rights in earlier times claim now to have done otherwise. And those who did not vote at all will claim to have been supporters, who voted for justice.
Thank you, Clark County, for turning out. With a confusingly-worded ballot measure in an off-year election, you dramatically exceeded expectations. Those who did the right thing know who you are. May you be proud of the justice you hold in your heart.
There shall be a post-election wrap-up meeting to plan for the future this coming Saturday at 9 a.m. at Tommy O's Pacific Bistro, 801 Washington Street, Vancouver 98660.
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