For Immediate Release — Oct.

26, 2009

Poll: Approve Referendum 71 maintaining slim lead

Election outcome still hinges on turnout

SEATTLE – Approve Referendum 71 is maintaining its slim lead among likely

Washington voters according to a Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (GQR) tracking
poll commissioned by the Approve Referendum 71 campaign.

Last week, GQR polled more than 500 likely voters and found 53 percent of
those polled supported the “approved” position when they were read the
ballot language, while only 36 percent supported the “rejected” position. In
September, the margin was 51–44 percent.

According to GQR this shift suggests that the Approve side has solidified its
base in recent weeks while the Reject side is losing supporters.

"This is both good—and cautionary—news," said Approve 71 campaign chair

Anne Levinson. "These results show that when voters understand what the
domestic partnership law is—and the many families who will be harmed if it
is repealed—they will vote to approve it.

"Yet, we also know that in an off-year election, older, more conservative

voters turn out in greater numbers. While there is broad statewide support
for treating all families equally, those who vote will determine the outcome of
this election," Levinson continued. "This poll makes a very clear point: those
who want to ensure that legal protections aren't taken away from gay and
lesbian families absolutely have to vote."

Approve 71 campaign manager Josh Friedes noted that only a small

percentage of voters have turned in their ballots so far.

"What our poll shows us is that if supportive voters cast their ballots, we will
win. That's why getting fair-minded voters to cast their ballots on time is so
important—we're seeing ballots from less urban parts of the state being sent
in, while voters in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties are not yet mailing
their ballots in large numbers,” said Friedes.
”We are also reaching out to younger voters—who often don’t vote in off-
year elections—to mail in their ballots," added Friedes. "Younger voters could
make a big difference since they tend to be more supportive, and many are
not included in the poll because they are not considered likely voters.

"We need people to spend the five minutes to fill-out the ballot. And then we
need them to actually put a stamp on the envelope—or two stamps if they
live in Pierce County—and mail it.

"Basic legal protections for thousands of committed couples hinge on this

simple act," concluded Friedes. "Our message is 'Vote now!'"

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Contact:
Sue Evans
253.592.1590
media@approve71.org

Josh Friedes
206.679.8546
media@approve71.org