Get Out and Vote for Equality! – Results UPDATE

Today is election day, and many voters are heading to the polls to elect public officials and weigh in on important policy issues. Critical votes in a handful of states could advance equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Below is the breakdown of key elections (as outlined by the Human Rights Campaign).

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. UPDATE: LOSS – Maine voters have passed Question 1, the measure overturning the state’s marriage equality law.

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. HRC has had a field organizer working with the Approve Referendum 71 campaign since August. UPDATE: LIKELY WIN – Voters appear to have cast their ballots to approve Referendum 71, a measure that would expand domestic partnerships to have every state-level right and benefit afforded to married couples.

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. UPDATE: LOSS – Governor Jon Corzine – endorsed by HRC – has lost his re-election bid.

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. UPDATE: LOSS – Deeds unfortunately lost his bid for governor.

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. UPDATE: WIN – 65% of Kalamazoo voters voted to approve Ordinance 1856, expanding the city’s existing anti-discrimination law to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

All information above from the Human Rights Campaign. The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.