Gay marriage opponents won't give up

SEATTLE, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Gay marriage opponents in Washington state say they still hope to defeat a referendum expanding benefits to "everything but marriage" for same-sex couples.

The latest information on Tuesday's vote released by the Secretary of State's office shows Referendum 71 leading 52 percent to 48 percent, the Seattle Times reported.

"There are a lot of votes out there still," says Larry Stickney, head of Protect Marriage Washington that worked to defeat Referendum 71. "We continue to have some hope that the votes cast later will move in our direction."

The Secretary of State's office estimates 500,000 to 600,000 ballots are still outstanding with about half expected from King County where the measure so far is ahead by a margin of slightly more than 2 to 1.

Referendum 71 asked Washington residents to approve or reject a state law signed in May that grants same sex domestic partners all the rights of married couples.