ASHLAND (AP) — Some Ashland-area residents who had planned to register as same-sex domestic partners today now will attend a candlelight vigil at a local church this evening instead.

For one couple from Talent, it was their second major setback.

A federal judge’s decision Friday to put the law recognizing the partnerships on hold until a February hearing stunned those who had supported the domestic partnership legislation.

Opponents of the new domestic partnership law asked U.S. District Judge Michael Mossman to intercede after the Oregon Secretary of State’s office ruled that they were 96 valid signatures short of the required number to put the matter to voters in November.

“Our attorney feels the judge doesn’t have a clear understanding of the petition laws,” said Karynn Fish of the Portland-based gay rights group Basic Rights Oregon.

“I think it was a just ruling because it was evident that there needed to be a more thorough review,” said Bryan Platt of Eagle Point, a member of Concerned Oregonians, the group that contested the signature validation process.

Platt said county clerks used an inefficient process to validate signatures. He said holding county clerks accountable on the validation process is a victory for all registered voters in Oregon, regardless of where they stand.

The registration would have begun today.

The measure covers benefits related to inheritance rights, child-rearing and custody, joint state tax filings, joint health, auto and homeowners’ insurance policies, visitation rights at hospitals and other aspects of partnership. It stops short of allowing same-sex marriages.

For Donna Taylor, 61, and her partner Paula Kratz, 58, of Talent, it was a second disappointment.

They had planned to register this morning and celebrate that evening with friends. They have been together 35 years.

“The news was extremely shocking and terribly disappointing,” said Taylor. She and Kratz were among the 3,000 same-sex couples who received marriage licenses in 2004 before the Oregon Supreme Court nullified them as unconstitutional.

Taylor said the law is crucial for older same-sex couples. “At this point in our lives, the main issues are inheritance rights and the rights to care for each other,” she said.

Eight other states have approved spousal rights in some form for same-sex couples - Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Maine, California, Washington and Hawaii. Massachusetts is the only state that allows gay couples to marry.