Washington's gay marriage law is now on hold.

Preserve Marriage Washington submitted more than 200,000 signatures Wednesday, blocking the law from taking effect on Thursday. State officials will review the filings over the next week to determine whether the proposed referendum will qualify for a public vote.

The referendum seeks to overturn the measure allowing same-sex marriage in the state. That law was passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire earlier this year.

The Washington secretary of state's office recommends that campaigns submit about 150,000 signatures in order to provide a cushion for invalid or duplicate signatures. Washington voters upheld an "everything but marriage" law in a 2009 referendum.

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Associated Press writer Mike Baker can be reached on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/HiPpEV