Update: Mayoral candidate Mike McGinn and candidates for King Co. Exec. Dow Constantine and City Attorney Pete Holmes are offering reduced-price tickets to their fundraising/concert extravaganza “Battle for Seattle” to anyone showing an Approve 71 PayPal receipt.  Thanks gents!

Like the Seattle Times editorial said, “A broad coalition of community support has rallied behind voter approval of Referendum 71, to extend legal rights and responsibilities to all Washington families.”.  This includes both candidates for Mayor of Seattle, Mike McGinn and Joe Mallahan.  Mallahan just released an excellent video describing why we need to mark ‘approved’ on those ballots and get them mailed in promptly.  Following the Mallahan video is Mike McGinn’s statement to Approve Referendum 71.

E-mail accompanying video: Yesterday, the Approve Referendum 71 campaign released polling information that shows a tough fight ahead to protect all Washington families under current domestic partnership laws. In Washington state, there are 12,000 people registered in domestic partnerships. Approving Referendum 71 will protect family/medical leave for sick loved ones, will protect health insurance coverage for a family and will provide protections for children if a parent dies. If we do not approve Ref. 71, these protections will be taken away.

Seattle’s LGBT community has honored me with their highest ranking (5 straight A’s) in the mayoral campaign and their support helped me win the primary. Now, I am here to urge Seattle voters to approve Referendum 71. Taking away family protections are not my values and I know they aren’t your values either. That’s why I am asking you to join me in approving Referendum 71.

Please watch my new video urging Seattleites to register to vote, to turn out the vote and to donate to the Approve 71 campaign. You can watch my “Approve Ref. 71” video here.

We need to spread the word that this will be a tough fight. We need to get out the Seattle vote to show that Washington is a place that treats all families fairly and equally.

Please join me Approving Referendum 71.

For more information or to donate directly, please go to: www.approve71.com. And feel free to forward my video, if it helps get the word out.

Sincerely,

Joe Mallahan

P.S. To remain compliant with election law, I am required to let you know that this was paid for by me personally and not my campaign: Paid for by Joe Mallahan, 3716 Densmore Ave N, Seattle WA 98103. Sponsored by Approve 71, PO Box 12216, Seattle, WA 98102.

Seattle Mayoral candidate Mike McGinn’s statement as Referendum 71 was certified for the ballot:

Statement on Referendum 71

The threat posed by opponents to civil rights cannot be underestimated, and it will take a smart and dedicated campaign to pass R-71.  I look forward to working closely with Senator Ed Murray and other leaders in our city to make sure we do everything possible to maximize the vote coming out of Seattle for this important measure.

R-71 expands the rights and responsibilities of domestic partners registered in our state.  This legislation brings us closer to full equality and represents a step forward for our society.

In 2004 I read the decision of Judge William Downing of King County Superior Court, which ruled that it was unconstitutional to deny marriage to same sex couples.  His ruling was clear, unequivocal, and signaled a new age.  I was disappointed when the State Supreme Court overturned that decision in 2006 on grounds that do not stand up to scrutiny.

Our democracy is built on equality, and together we can protect the rights of all citizens.

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