Two Votes Shy Of Marriage in WA

The latest count reveals only two more Senate votes are needed to ensure marriage equality in Washington state. Getting those two votes will prove difficult.

The path for gay marriage in the House appears clear. Legislation sponsored by Rep. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, was introduced there Friday with 50 signatures, the number of votes needed to approve the measure. But an identical bill sponsored by Murray in the Senate had 23 signatures. He needs 25, and there's a shrinking pool of undecided votes left. State Sens. Andy Hill, R-Redmond; Joe Fain, R-Auburn; Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island; Jim Kastama, D-Puyallup; Paull Shin, D-Edmonds, and Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond, are uncommitted, according to the lawmakers or members of their staffs. Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, declined to comment, but records show he's voted against every gay-rights bill that's come up for a vote in the past.

Backers are hoping to get Microsoft to publicly endorse the bill.