OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- The state Senate is set to vote on a measure that would legalize gay marriage in Washington State.
The bill is not expected to come up for a vote until late afternoon or early evening Wednesday. It is expected to pass in the Senate with at least 25 votes, the number needed for approval. If passed by the Senate, the measure moves to the House, where it already has enough support. Gov. Chris Gregoire says she will sign it into law if passed.
“It’s going to be a long night,” Sen. Ed Murray said. “The debate will be contentious. There are a lot of strong feelings among members, and they’re going to express those feelings in the floor debate.”
Opponents of same-sex marriage have already promised a referendum battle at the ballot if the Legislature passes the bill and it's signed into law.
Washington State has had a domestic partnership law since 2007, and an "everything but marriage" expansion of the domestic partnership law since 2009.
Same-sex couples from across the state plan to head to Olympia, so they can be there for Wednesday’s historic vote.
“We want to get into the hearing, or wherever the place is to be where the vote is, so we can actually be there to feel it, cheer, and jump up and down,” Mary Ann Woodruff, a supporter of the bill, said.
