What impact will Prop 8 decision have on gay marriage in Washington?
Feb 8, 2012, 6:16 AM | Updated: 8:51 am
With the State House expected to vote on legalizing gay marriage in Washington state on Wednesday, many are now curious what impact a federal judge’s ruling will have on Washington.
A federal appeals court has decided that California’s ban on same sex marriage was unconstitutional.
“I think the decision in the Prop 8 case would have implications for Washington as well,” said University of Washington Law Professor Peter Nichols.
The Legislature is set to approve a measure that would legalize gay marriage in Washington state.
The House is expected to begin debate on the bill at 1 p.m. Wednesday. The measure passed in the Senate last week on a 28-21 vote, and it is expected to easily pass in the House. Once passed by the Legislature, Gov. Chris Gregoire is likely to sign the bill into law next week.
Because there is no emergency clause on the bill, the law wouldn’t take effect for 90 days. Opponents have already promised a referendum battle at the ballot, so it’s likely it could be put on hold pending the outcome of a November election.
But Nichols says if Washington state’s gay marriage bill is overturned by voters using a referendum, the federal appeals court ruling could be used to reverse the decision.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
