State preps to verify Ref. 71 signatures

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By Associated Press

Summary

Washington state officials are ready to verify signatures for a proposed referendum on Washington state's newly expanded domestic partnership law.

Story Published: Jul 30, 2009 at 3:29 PM PST

State preps to verify Ref. 71 signatures
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Washington state officials are ready to verify signatures for a proposed referendum on Washington state's newly expanded domestic partnership law.

Secretary of State Sam Reed said Thursday that supporters of Referendum 71 turned in 137,689 signatures, about 14 percent more than the minimum needed to win a place on the November ballot. The average historic error rate is 18 percent.

At least 120,577 valid voter signatures are needed to get on the ballot. Election workers will begin verifying signatures Friday.

The new expanded "everything but marriage" domestic partnership law was scheduled to take effect July 26, but has been delayed until the signatures are verified. If there enough signatures, the law will be delayed until the outcome of the election.