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Rep. Jim Moeller, serving the 49th District Serving Western Vancouver, as well as Hazel Dell and the surrounding communitites of southwestern Clark County. |
S T A T E M E N T :
Washington State Rep. Jim Moeller,
D-Vancouver,
on voter-approval of Referendum 71
Friday, Nov. 6, 2009
“Washington voters in this year’s general election showed the promoters
of ‘special rights for special pleaders’ the door. By approving Referendum
71, citizens expanded protections for all Washington families and
strengthened them at the same time. Today, the law in our state now
emphasizes that all families are supported, not just one kind of family.”
“I’m very proud to be a sponsor of the original legislation upheld in
the referendum. This is a fair, commonsense policy created for domestic
partners and their loved ones. These are folks who simply want to reinforce
the legal rights and responsibilities for the loving and committed family
they have already created.”
“Actually, it seems to me that this
legislation and the referendum are even more about protecting the lives and
well-being of families than about respecting the rights and privileges of
couples. And yes, providing more security for domestic partners and their
families is certainly even more important in these tumultuous economic
times. The same securities, rights and responsibilities as anyone else – No
more, and no less.”
The Domestic Partnership Registry was created in
2007, and it is open to same-gender couples and senior-citizen couples. The
registry is maintained in the state Secretary of State’s office. Adult
couples may register as domestic partners if the partners are the same
gender. Adult couples may also register as domestic partners if they are
different genders and one of them is – or both of them are – at least 62
years old.
NOTE: Referendum 71, as of 9 a.m., Friday, Nov. 6, is
receiving just over 52 percent of the “Yes” vote. According to the state
Secretary of State’s Web site: “Election results are not final or official
until certified. By law, November 24, 2009, is the last day for county
canvassing boards to certify results; December 3, 2009, is the last day for
the Office of the Secretary of State to certify General Election returns.”
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