Elections '09
This November 3rd, many voters will head to the polls to elect public officials and weigh in on important policy issues. For supporters of equality, critical votes in a handful of states could advance equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Maine
Voters in Maine will choose whether to take away the marriage equality law passed earlier this year by the state legislature and signed by the governor. The marriage equality law will take effect and same-sex couples can begin marrying if a majority of voters Vote No on 1.
The polls in this race are incredibly close, so turning out every pro-equality voter will be critically important in the final days of the campaign. HRC has had a field organizer working with the campaign since it started and will have ten staffers in the state by election day.
Washington
Voters in Washington will choose whether to ratify or reject a law passed earlier this year that expands rights and benefits afforded to registered domestic partners in the state. Under the new law, domestic partners have the same rights, benefits and obligations under state law of married couples.
Except in one county, voters in Washington vote by mail. Ballots were mailed on October 16th. HRC has had a field organizer working with the Approve Referendum 71 campaign since August, and HRC volunteer leaders in Seattle have been a key part of the campaign as well.
New Jersey
In New Jersey, voters will elect state lawmakers, as well as the governor and other constitutional officers. In fact, this will be the first election since the creation of the lieutenant governor position. HRC has endorsed Governor Jon Corzine for reelection based on his strong support for LGBT equality, including his repeated pledges to sign a marriage equality bill that could still be passed by legislators later this year.
Virginia
Virginia voters will choose a new governor and have a chance to send more fair-minded lawmakers to the state’s House of Delegates in Richmond. Building on HRC’s work in 2007 helping to elect a more fair-minded state senate majority, HRC has endorsed Creigh Deeds for governor and has eight field organizers working in key delegate races. By election day, HRC will have 20 staffers on the ground in Virginia.
Kalamazoo, Michigan
The Kalamazoo city council recently voted unanimously to expand the city’s existing anti-discrimination law to include sexual orientation and gender identity, making it illegal in the city to discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in housing and employment. Opponents of the new law have put it on the ballot this November, and voters who want to support the new law will need to vote Yes on Ordinance 1856.
For the latest updates on these and other 2009 elections, please check out election coverage at HRC BackStory.