Everyone expected a Washington ballot measure dealing with same-sex marriage to attract lots of money. No one expected it to be one-sided. As of last Tuesday, $8.6 million had been raised in the campaign on Referendum Measure 74, which, if approved, would permit gay and lesbian couples to legally marry. The data below offer a comparison of fundraising efforts by political action committees based on detailed reports filed as of Sept. 4.
Top 3 PACs involved in Referendum 74
| Washington United for Marriage | Freedom to Marry | Preserve Marriage Washington | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stance on Referendum 74 | SUPPORTS | SUPPORTS | OPPOSES |
| Distinction | Most individual donations: 11,424 | Biggest average donation: $16,419 | Highest percentage of money from Washington: 94.9% |
| Description | This is the lead organization in the campaign to approve Referendum 74. It is a coalition of civic, social and religious organizations as well as businesses and unions. | This is a national organization which supports same-sex marriage. It is working with Washington United for Marriage. | This is the lead organization in the campaign to reject Referendum 74. It is a coalition of churches and religious and social organizations led by the Family Policy Institute of Washington based in Lynnwood. |
| Total raised as of Sept. 4 | $7,125,021 | $661,456 | $471,103 |
| Total spent as of Sept. 4 | $1,555,646 | $135,186 | $168,732 |
| Cash raised | $6,466,567 | $640,360 | $419,532 |
| In-kind donations | $366,256 | $20,726 | $42,144 |
| Other income | $104,436 | $0 | $0 |
| Cash contributions from Washington residents | $5,055,715 | $2,325 | $397,954 |
| Cash contributions
from out of state |
$1,410,852 | $638,035 | $21,578 |
| Percent in-state | 78.2% | 0.4% | 94.9% |
| Total of donations $1,000 and greater | $5,260,132 | $637,000 | $286,370 |
| Total of donations less than $1,000 |
$1,206,435 | $3,360 | $133,162 |
| Percent of donations $1,000 and greater | 81.3% | 99.5% | 68.3% |
| Total donations | 11,424 | 39 | 1,346 |
| Average donation | $566 | $16,419 | $312 |
Other players
These political action committees, too, have registered with the state Public Disclosure System but have reported raising and spending little money compared to the biggest organizations.
For Initiative 74
• Catholics for Marriage Equality
• Cupcake Royale/Verite Coffee
• Human Rights Campaign National Marriage Fund
• Human Rights Campaign Washington Protecting Families
Against Initiative 74
• National Organization for Marriage
Washington Referendum Measure 74
From the State General Election Voters’ Guide:
The legislature passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6239 concerning marriage for same-sex couples, modified domestic-partnership law, and religious freedom, and voters have filed a sufficient referendum petition on this bill.
This bill would allow same-sex couples to marry, preserve domestic partnerships only for seniors, and preserve the right of clergy or religious organizations to refuse to perform, recognize, or accommodate any marriage ceremony.
Should this bill be: [ ] Approved [ ] Rejected
More information
• Public Disclosure Commission of Washington
• Full text of Referendum 74
• Washington Office of the Secretary of State
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