A Time And Feeling Reminiscent Of November 5, 2008

Right now I feel like I did on November 5, 2008.  The candidates and measures that I voted (and lobbied) for all won their respective offices, but in another state, gay marriage was voted down.  Last year, Californians went to the polls to strip away marriage--equal protection--rights from gay couples.  In 2009, in Maine, voters went to the polls, driven by the same fear tactics used in California, to do the same.  While we may be 'losing' at present, rest assured that this is not the end.  We're not going to just go away and accept your own insecurities and bigotry as the law of the land.

Update: 12:59pm (Eastern) - With 589 of 605 (97%) of Maine's precincts reporting, the totals are now: 298,002 voting 'Yes' (reject the same-sex marriage law) and 266,599 voting 'No' (uphold the same-sex marriage law).  That's 52.78% to 47.22%, and a difference of 31,403 votes.

While the ballots are still being counted here in Washington state, it looks as though Referendum 71--on whether or not to allow a legislative bill expanding the rights and responsibilities of domestic partners to pass--is going to be approved by the electorate.  We could not have done this without your support, outreach, and most importantly, your vote.  This is a big win for us today, and I couldn't be happier.

On that note, I would like to take this time to thank each and every one of my friends, family members, and coworkers for putting up with my incessant heckling to get their voter registration up-to-date and voting.  Your support means the world to me (and to everyone in the gay community).  Again, thank you.  Now, let's roll up our sleeves and get to work!

Are You Registered To Vote?

Tomorrow, October 5th, is the last day to register to vote in the upcoming election via mail or online.  After that, you will need to register (in person) at the King County Elections Office in Tukwila--and who wants to travel out there?--by October 26th.  If you live in King County, and you don't know the status of your registration, you can check here (or call 206.296.VOTE).

There are some very important positions and measures up for a vote this year, and Washington needs a substantial voter turnout.  For me, Referendum 71--expanding the rights and responsibilities of Washington domestic partnerships*--needs to pass.  This is a big step forward for LGBT equality if it passes; it would be three steps backward if it is rejected by the voters.

Please register and/or ensure that your name and address are current...and most importantly, VOTE!

We've Made It Through The Primary Election...

...now it's time to gear up for the general election, which will take place on November 3rd. That's only 76 days away from now! Okay, so maybe you didn't vote in the primary (and I know for a fact those of you who didn't). But it's okay. There's still time to redeem yourselves! You can vote in the general election and help send the right people to office.

First off, we need to check the status of your voter registration. This is easy. Go here and type in your first and last name and your birthdate. This will tell you where you are currently registered and what positions and measures on which you'll be voting. If your registration is incorrect--most likely this would be due to a change of address--then you'll need to update your information to correspond with your current voting precinct. This part is easy too! Simply call 206.296.VOTE (8683). As a friend told me, it takes "like three minutes" to complete. That's all there is to it. Once your information is updated, you'll receive your ballot in the mail, and you can vote!

While there is ample time to waste, don't procrastinate on this too long. You have to update your information no later than 30 days prior to the election date in order to be eligible to vote in your new precinct. That means you have until Monday, October 5th to update your information if it needs to be so. I've done all I can at this point, the rest is up to you.

Any other questions you might have can be answered at the King County Elections website.