DC Board of Elections Denies Referendum on Marriage Recognition

Today the DC Board of Elections and Ethics ruled that the proposed referendum on the DC marriage recognition legislation, "The Jury and Marriage Amendment Act of 2009", was not a proper subject for referendum. Read WaPo Article

Under District elections law, a referendum cannot appear on the ballot if it violates the city's Human Rights Act. The act, approved in 1977, prohibits discrimination against gays and lesbians and other minority groups.

"To the extent that the proposed referendum would suspend the Council's action to recognize lawful foreign same-sex marriages on the same terms as lawful foreign heterosexual marriages, the proposed measure would run counter to the letter and spirit of the" Human Rights Act, Attorney General Peter Nickles argued to the elections board in written testimony last week.

"This is a major step towards progress in our local campaign for marriage equality. In ruling based upon what is clearly outlined in DC law, the DC Board of Elections and Ethics reaffirmed our committment to protecting the rights of all citizens here in the District of Columbia", Jeffrey Richardson, President of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club.