OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington state Senate is set to take a crucial vote Wednesday on a proposal to legalize same-sex marriage.
The bill has narrow support in the Senate, but is expected to pass because supporters have secured 25 “yes” votes — the minimum required for approval. Five senators, two Democrats and three Republicans have not indicated how they will vote.
If passed by the Senate, the measure moves to the House, which has enough votes to pass the bill by a more comfortable margin. Also, Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire supports the measure and said she will sign it into law, which would make Washington state the seventh state to approve gay marriage.
The bill’s sponsor, Democratic Sen. Ed Murray of Seattle, still cautioned, “Nothing is done until it is actually voted on.”