SALEM, Ore. -- Opponents of two gay rights laws passed by the 2007 Oregon Legislature have turned in what they hope are enough signatures to put the two laws up for a vote in the November 2008 election.

The conservative groups turned in what they said were about 63,000 signatures for each of the two referrals -- which after invalid signatures are weeded out might leave them with the needed 55,000 valid signatures.

The opponents are hoping to derail a domestic partnership law giving same-sex couples most of the state benefits of marriage along with another new law banning discrimination against gays.

State elections officials said it will take several weeks to verify whether there are enough signature to put the two issues before voters.