Anti-Gay Group in Washington State Turn in Less Signatures than Reported for Ref. 71; Heated Exchange Caught on Tape

McClatchy reports:

Social conservatives who organized the Referendum 71 challenge to domestic-partnership rights for same-sex couples turned in fewer signatures than initially thought.

David Ammons of the Office of the Secretary of State said the actual number is 137,689, about 800 fewer than the 138,500 estimated at Saturday’s turn-in of signatures by the Protect Marriage Washington campaign, which is led by Christian faith groups.

The signature total is 14 percent more than the 120,577 valid signatures needed for the issue to qualify for the Nov. 3 ballot. That is below the typical 18 percent invalidation rate, raising questions about the measure's viability.

Signature checking begins today and could take several days.

Yesterday, when the signatures were being handed over, blogger Joshalot and Chris Mason of Driving Equality recorded the submissions on the capitol steps but Referendum 71 supporters attempted to intimidate them from their legal activity of videotaping in a public space.



You can read a full transcript of the interchange here.