Tim Craig kinda buried the lede in his D.C. Wire report on the fresh effort to bring same-sex marriage to the ballot.

Yes, Bishop Harry Jackson and the usual suspects filed new papers to day to hold a vote on making "only marriage between a man and a woman...valid and recognized in the District of Columbia."

But then there's this: The Archdiocese of Washington "also submitted a letter to the elections board today calling for a referendum. Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl even sent a letter to 300 Catholic priests asking them to get behind the effort."

"It is ironic that at the same time the city is asking for voting representation in the U.S. Congress, its leaders are denying residents the opportunity to participate in the Democratic process for an issue with widespread implications for children and families," sais a statement from Wuerl from Ronald Jackson, executive director of the D.C. Catholic Conference, an organ of the archdiocese.

The Board of Elections and Ethics has ruled that a referendum on recognizing gay marriages is not allowed.

Reads the order [PDF], signed by both board chair Errol Arthur and member Charles Lowery Jr.:

[I]t is clear that the Referendum’s Proposers would, in contravention of the [Human Rights Act], strip same-sex couples of the rights and responsibilities of marriage that they were afforded by virtue of entering into valid marriages elsewhere....Because the Referendum would authorize discrimination prohibited by the [Human Rights Act], it is not a proper subject for referendum, and may not be accepted by the Board.

More to come.

Read More "D.C. Gay Marriage Referendum Rejected by Elections Board" »

Another update from Kenneth McGhie, general counsel for the Board of Elections and Ethics: "Still think it's going to be today," he says.

LL and the rest of the city are awaiting the board's decision whether to allow a referendum on recognizing other jurisdictions' same-sex marriages in the District.

The holdup? "Still debating some language," he says.

UPDATE, 4:36 P.M.: The board has released its ruling---the referendum is not allowed. Read more.

LL just got off the phone with Kenneth McGhie, general counsel for the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics.

Those of you expecting a late-Friday announcement on whether or not a referendum will be allowed on the District law recognizing out-of-state same-sex marriages: Don't hold your breath.

"Doesn't look like it's going to be today," McGhie says.

Read More "No Gay-Marriage Referendum Decision Today" »

Rokey W. Suleman II will be the new executive director of the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics, the board announced today. He's coming to the District after running elections in Fairfax County.

LL was on the Kojo Nnamdi Show on WAMU-FM during election season last fall when Suleman called in to talk about Fairfax's early voting procedures. Seemed like a pretty bright guy!

Suleman's replacing Alice P. Miller, who left BOEE early last year to take a job as chief operating officer of the federal Election Assistance Commission. She's continued to serve as a consultant to the board. Sylvia Goldsberry-Adams had served as interim executive director since, during various controversies about equipment and ballot malfunctions.

Some timing: Suleman might be arriving just in time to oversee a ballot referendum on gay marriage. Unlikely, but maybe. [UPDATE, 1:45 P.M.: He'll be starting in early July.]

Then you might consider applying to serve as executive director of the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics.

The agency has been in the news in a bad way in recent months, for botching vote counts on the night of the District primary in September, then by taking forever to get any results out after the Nov. 4 general election.

The agency's been under the direction of interim executive director Sylvia Goldsberry-Adams since Alice Miller left the board's employ last May to take a job at the federal Elections Assistance Commission.

The requirements: "Advanced degree in policy administration and/or law preferred; work experience in governmental organization(s) and election processes; and comprehensive background in election administration, organizational development, administration and supervision. Applicant should possess the ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written forms."