Domestic Partnership Petition Case in Court Again Tomorrow

Back story: Anti-gay activists tried to collect enough signatures to send Oregon’s new domestic partnership law to this November’s ballot. They failed, and then sued in federal court, blaming Oregon’s elections department for improperly discounting valid signatures.

In February, a federal judge told the anti-gay activist to piss off ruled that the petition effort fell short, even if the signature-verification process was a little fuzzy. An injunction was lifted, and couples began registering as domestic partners a few days later.

Fast forward to tomorrow, when the two sides–Basic Rights Oregon and the ACLU vs. the anti-gay activists a Concerned Oregonians, Defense of Marriage and Family Again, and Alliance Defense Fund–meet in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to argue again. If the activists win, the issue could still land on this November’s ballot. I’ll be in the hearing, and apparently laptops are allowed, so we could even have some live blogging.

In the meantime, enjoy this–it’s an analysis of tomorrow’s panel of federal judges, from Alliance Defense Fund’s Austin Nimocks, that went out via a Concerned Oregonians email blast:

We need our arguments and efforts cloaked and soaked in immense prayer. We recently discovered the panel before whom I will be making our argument:

Alfred T. Goodwin– Appointed by Nixon. Wrote the majority opinion in Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow, which stated that the “under God” portion of the Pledge violated the establishment clause.

Harry Pregerson– Appointed by Carter. Characterized as a liberal judge. “Not surprisingly, Judge Pregerson has been a model of judicial activism for nearly a quarter-century.” – Hugh Hewitt

Stephen Reinhardt– Appointed by Carter. Yale graduate. Known as one of the most liberal judges on the courts of appeals, is also one of the most-reversed judges before the Supreme Court.

However, I welcome this panel as our decision-makers here. I do this for the true and ultimate sovereignty of God. If we were to win with a conservative panel, everyone would question the victory as one born of a lucky draw. However, a victory flowing from this panel can be attributed only to God. We’re running on faith alone, and that is more than enough.