What Was Referendum 74
Referendum 74 was a statewide ballot measure that appeared on the November 6, 2012 general election ballot in Washington State. It asked voters to approve or reject a law that had been passed earlier in the year by the state legislature and signed by the governor. The law in question concerned the legal recognition of certain relationships between consenting adults.
What the Law Proposed
The measure sought to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples under the same legal framework as opposite-sex couples. If approved, it would have allowed same-sex couples to obtain a marriage license and have their unions recognized statewide. The proposal was designed to update existing family law without changing other parts of the legal code.
Outcome and Significance
On election day, voters approved Referendum 74 with a majority of the vote. This made Washington State one of the first states to legalize same-sex marriage through a popular vote rather than through a court decision or legislative action alone. The result was widely reported by major news organizations and is documented in historical summaries of state ballot measures.
Why It Matters for Voters and Researchers
Referendum 74 is frequently cited in discussions about ballot initiatives, voter behavior, and the evolution of family law in the United States. For voters, it serves as a clear example of how a referendum can directly shape public policy. For researchers, it provides a case study of how a state-level ballot measure can influence national conversations about rights and recognition.
