Mrs Behavin
Well-Known Member
A petition seeking a public vote on a proposed domestic partner registry in the resort city of Eureka Springs has been rejected for not meeting legal requirements. The ruling may clear the way for the city to begin registering couples as soon as Friday.
City Clerk Mary Jean Sell says a petition submitted to her office had more than the 144 signatures needed to push the issue to a public vote. But she says the petition lacked a ballot title and organizers did not include a copy of the ordinance for signers to read. The petition also didn't specifically ask for a special election to be called.
Sell says the decision likely means the city would be allowed to begin registering couples.
In May, the city council voted unanimously to begin registering both gay and heterosexual couples. Couples who are 18 and older and pay a $35 fee will receive a certificate noting their partnership, which would be recorded in a paper registry.
City officials had planned to begin registering couples Friday, but put off plans after opponents enough signatures to call an election on the issue.
Today's THV - KTHV Little Rock News Article
City Clerk Mary Jean Sell says a petition submitted to her office had more than the 144 signatures needed to push the issue to a public vote. But she says the petition lacked a ballot title and organizers did not include a copy of the ordinance for signers to read. The petition also didn't specifically ask for a special election to be called.
Sell says the decision likely means the city would be allowed to begin registering couples.
In May, the city council voted unanimously to begin registering both gay and heterosexual couples. Couples who are 18 and older and pay a $35 fee will receive a certificate noting their partnership, which would be recorded in a paper registry.
City officials had planned to begin registering couples Friday, but put off plans after opponents enough signatures to call an election on the issue.
Today's THV - KTHV Little Rock News Article
