Washington, D.C. ballot news
From Ballotpedia
| ||
| Propositions • | Recall | • Law |
Here you'll find a collection of ballot news stories from Washington, D.C..
Same-sex marriage opponents file lawsuit against D.C. board
Washington, D.C.: Only a day after the Washington, D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics announced their rejection of placing a proposed same-sex marriage ban measure on the ballot, same-sex marriage opponents filed a lawsuit against the board.[1] The suit was filed in D.C. Superior Court on Wednesday, November 18, according to representatives of the Alliance Defense Fund. According to reports, Bishop Harry Jackson and other opponents are "vowing an extensive court battle."[2]
The proposed measure read:
Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in the District of Columbia.
D.C. board rejects same-sex marriage ban on ballot
Washington, D.C.: Yesterday, the Washington, D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics ruled to reject a proposed ballot measure to ban same-sex marriage on the basis that it would violate D.C.'s Human Rights Act (HRA). The HRA prohibits discrimination. Previously, the board rejected a proposed referendum on the district's recognition of out-of-state same-sex marriages. The board based their ruling on the district's HRA law. The D.C. City Council is expected to vote on same-sex marriage December 1, 2009. The council is required to vote twice before the law is accepted.[3]
Washington D.C. same-sex marriage law goes into effect as planned
Washington, D.C.: The law recognizing same-sex marriages took effect last week in Washington, D.C. following the review by the United States Congress. Congress had 30 days to review the law but took no action in favor of or against the law. The D.C. Council approved the recognition bill in May. Also last week, council member David Catania announced that he planned to introduce a bill that would allow for same-sex marriages to be performed within the district.[4]
Earlier this year some D.C. residents circulated petitions to take the issue to the November ballot and halt the implementation of the law until residents had a chance to vote, but in late June 2009 the D.C. Superior Court ruled against the proposition.
- On June 11, 2009 District Attorney General Peter Nickles released an opinion against a proposed referendum.[5]
- On June 15, 2009 the Washington, D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics ruled against a proposed veto referendum because it violated the district's Human Rights Act.
- On June 17, 2009 referendum supporters petitioned the Superior Court to order the city elections board to allow a ballot measure.[6]
- On June 30, 2009 a D.C. Superior Court judge dismissed a motion filed by same-sex marriage opponents to bring the issue to a vote and stall the implementation of the new law. The judge upheld the June 15 decision made by the District's Elections and Ethics Board.[7]
Washington D.C. elections board rejects marriage referendum
Washington, D.C.: The Washington D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics ruled today that a proposed veto referendum on the district's recognition of out-of-state same sex marriages would violate D.C.'s Human Rights Act (HRA). D.C's election laws say that a ballot measure that violates the HRA are not allowed to go on the ballot.[8]
A group of African-American ministers were the most vocal supporters of the referendum, arguing that such a matter should be placed before the people and public debate. They promised legal challenges if the board rejected the proposal.[9]
See also
References
| |||||
