Names of people who signed petitions for R-71 to be released.

A federal appeals court has ruled that imprisoned felons should be allowed to vote in Washington to ensure that racial minorities are protected under the Voting Rights Act.

A federal judge in Seattle has refused to dismiss a legal challenge to Washington's top-two primary system.

Washington state officials are ready to verify signatures for a proposed referendum on Washington state's newly expanded domestic partnership law.

Sponsors of a campaign to overturn the state's recent "everything but marriage" domestic partnership law have set an appointment to turn in their petition signatures this weekend.

Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a bill Monday that eases the restoration of voting rights for felons who are no longer in Washington state custody but owe court-ordered fines and restitution. It takes effect July 26. "We have come to understand we can't create a debtor's prison here," Gregoire said.

Convicted felons could get their voting rights back once they're no longer in state custody, but not if they stop paying court-ordered fines, under a measure passed by the Senate.

Washington's 39 counties certified their election results Tuesday evening, showing a record turnout of 84.61 percent. That barely beats the record from 1944, which was about 84.54 percent.

As expected, Washington state voter turnout was strong Tuesday, fueled by the presidential election, a tense gubernatorial rematch and hot-button ballot initiatives.

State schools chief Terry Bergeson and Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland were locked in tough re-election fights Tuesday, while Democrat Jim McIntire and Republican Allan Martin squared off for the vacant state treasurer's office.