In a sweep of election night victories for marriage equality, voters in Washington state approved Referendum 74, affirming the state’s same-sex marriage law, and granting gay and lesbian couples the freedom to marry.
Marriage equality supporters declared victory after results showed the measure maintaining a 52 percent to 48 percent as of Wednesday afternoon, despite mail-in ballots that had yet to be counted.
Washington joins Maryland and Maine in becoming one of only three states to legalize same-sex marriage at the ballot box.
Maryland and Maine voters approved their ballot measures Tuesday night as well, and an anti-gay marriage amendment in Minnesota was also defeated by voters.
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“Washington voters sent a resounding message that nothing less than marriage is full equality for gay and lesbian couples,” said Chad Griffin, President of the Human Rights Campaign, in a statement. “This victory rounds out a landslide sweep of all four marriage ballot measures this November.”
“We stood with Washingtonians in passing and protecting Domestic Partnerships and we could not be more proud to have stood with them every step of the way in this campaign. This win is a sure sign that momentum is on our side, and with the growing majority of Americans supporting marriage equality, more states will soon join Washington in protecting all families,” said Griffin.
“This win would not have been possible without Governor Gregoire’s steadfast commitment and the leadership of the business community in the state, putting themselves squarely on the right side of history.”
“We made history. Together. And together, we turned a corner for love and fairness not just in Washington, but in Maine, Maryland, and Minnesota,” said Zach Silk, Campaign Manager for Washington United for Marriage.
“The voters have spoken and the arc of freedom and fairness bends further and closer to equality for all,” said Silk.
Same-sex couples will be able to marry beginning on December 6 — all referendums that are approved by voters in Washington state go into effect 30 days after the election.
