The anti-gay Alliance Defense Fund of Scottsdale, Ariz., argued before the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday in an attempt to force a statewide vote on Oregon’s new domestic partnership law.

The court, which will rule within approximately 30 days, will determine whether elections officials were justified in their disqualification of the many of the ADF’s petition signatures. If the court rules in the group’s favor, the matter will not go directly to the ballot — it will be thrown to a lower court.

The Statesman Journal reports:

One couple heard the arguments at the historic Pioneer Courthouse with more than a passing interest.

“This is a case that is not about gay rights,” said Leila Wrathall of Portland. “It is about whether they are going to validate the method which the secretary of state’s office uses to ensure that signatures are valid. We’re hoping that the court will uphold that.”

More than 30 voters sued Secretary of State Bill Bradbury and elections officials from 10 counties, who determined that opponents fell just short of the 55,179 signatures required to call a statewide election.

“They didn’t get enough signatures — that’s the point,” said Cathy Travis, Wrathall’s partner. “That’s very encouraging in terms of Oregon and gay rights, although that’s not what this argument was about. But it’s nice to know there is a process. You cannot fall short of signatures, then force everyone to spend a lot of money to determine whether we should get the rights we deserve.”