Opponents to expansion of Washington state’s domestic partnership law start referendum effort

Challenge to domestic partnership expansion filed

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Opponents of an “everything but marriage” bill for same-sex domestic partners have started their bid to overturn the latest effort to expand Washington state’s domestic partnership law.

Opponents filed paperwork Monday to begin the referendum process. They need to get more than 120,500 voter signatures by July 25 to qualify for the November ballot.

Gov. Chris Gregoire is expected to sign the “everything but marriage” bill into law within the next two weeks.

The filing for the referendum delays the July 26 start of the law until the signatures are counted. If opponents qualify for the ballot, the law is delayed until the results of the November election.