Ellington

Protecting individuals and their families is the most important reason for approving Referendum 71 in the upcoming election in Washington state.

As written into the title of this bill, it “would expand the rights, responsibilities and obligations accorded state-registered same-sex and senior domestic partners to be equivalent to those of married spouses, except that a domestic partnership is not a marriage.” Voters are voting on whether to approve or reject the bill passed earlier this year and signed into law by Gov. Chris Gregoire.

The Daily editorial board strongly recommends voters approve Referendum 71 to extend the rights of married couples to those of state-registered domestic partners. If approved, the referendum would offer legal protection for same-sex or senior domestic partners as well as their families.

We approve this referendum in support of the powers, rights and responsibilities of state-registered partners afforded by this bill, including “the ability to use available sick leave to care for a domestic partner … rights under insurance policies that accrue as a matter of law after the death of a spouse … rights and responsibilities related to adoption, child custody and child support,” as stated in the explanatory statement of Referendum 71.

All families should be offered the same rights, regardless of the sexual orientation of the primary guardians, in regard to financial and emotional support. Couples should be allowed to support one another financially, physically and emotionally when in a committed relationship. This referendum would allow state-registered domestic partnerships to do so by allowing individuals to visit ill partners in the hospital, allow care to be offered to families in the event of injury or death of a primary provider, and the ability to permit consent for health care for a patient who is not able to do so for him- or herself.

Although those opposed to the referendum see this as one last step toward same-sex marriage in Washington state, the bill clearly states, “a domestic partnership is not a marriage.” People opposed to the bill also fear this will make same-sex domestic partnerships become a socially acceptable family unit. Even though those speaking against Referendum 71 see this as a negative, The Daily editorial board sees this as a positive possible outcome.

Acceptance of diversity is at the heart of this measure. Vote to approve Referendum 71 in support of Washington families.

This is the opinion of The Daily’s editorial board: Editor-in-Chief Casey Smith, Production Director Colleen Kirsten, Opinion Editor Allen Wagner, Lifestyles Editor Rachel Solomon, and Webcast Manager Maks Goldenshteyn. The Daily’s editorial board will be making more recommendations concerning Seattle mayor tomorrow; I-1033 on Monday, Nov. 2; and King County executive on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Our final election board meetings will be tomorrow at 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 1, at 5 p.m and are open to students.

The last day to send in or drop off your ballot is Nov. 3. Be sure to send it to the proper authorities in time.

Other Daily Election '09 Endorsements

Seattle mayor: Mike McGinn

I-1033: 'No'

King County executive: Dow Constantine