all of us , from our volunteers , to our staff to the nearly 20,000 donors who invested in the freedom to marry , are enormously grateful to the voters of washington state .
it was capturing 51.96 percent of the vote anywhere in america .
zach silk , campaign manager for washington united for marriage , is applauded as be begins to speak at a news conference by supporters of referendum 74 , which would uphold the state 's new same - sex marriage ... ( associated press ) rep. laurie jinkins , d - tacoma , right , leans down to kiss her partner , laura wulf , during a news conference by supporters of referendum 74 , which would uphold the state 's new same - sex marriage law , wednesday , ... ( associated press ) revelers kiss as they celebrate early election returns favoring washington state referendum 74 , which would legalize gay marriage , during a large impromptu street gathering in seattle 's capitol hill neighborhood , ... ( associated press ) people celebrate early election returns favoring washington state referendum 74 , which would legalize gay marriage , during a large impromptu street gathering in seattle 's capitol hill neighborhood , tuesday , ... ( associated press ) supporters of referendum 74 , which would uphold the state 's new same - sex marriage law , cheer at a news conference wednesday , nov. 7 , 2012 , in seattle .
supporters of gay marriage in washington state declared ... ( associated press ) revelers display u.s. and gay pride flags as they celebrate early election returns favoring washington state referendum 74 , which would legalize gay marriage , during a large impromptu street gathering ... ( associated press ) crystal washington approves same - sex marriage washington voters have narrowly approved same - sex marriage , completing a four - state sweep of victories on election day by marriage - equality advocates .
74 held a 96,000 vote lead as of mid - afternoon thursday .
washington state has approved gay marriage , joining maine and maryland as the first states to pass same - sex marriage by popular vote .
with additional results showing that we have not closed the gap , it now appears clear that referendum 74 will be narrowly approved , " joseph backholm , head of preserve marriage washington , said in a statement . "
supporters of gay marriage in washington state declared ... ( associated press ) supporters of referendum 74 , which would uphold the state 's new same - sex marriage law , cheer at a news conference wednesday , nov. 7 , 2012 , in seattle .
zach silk , campaign manager for the pro - r-74 group washington united for marriage , called thursday a " historic day " for the state , nation and " for families across the state of have dreamed of this day . "