Arizona to Vote on Marriage Amendment

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Arizona to Vote on Marriage Amendment

Special Report - July 2, 2008
Arizona’s citizens will soon have the opportunity to vote for an amendment to their State Constitution defining marriage as a “union of one man and one woman.” The bill, SCR 1042–Marriage Referendum, passed the Arizona House by a 33–25 vote on May 12 and passed the Senate on June 27, 2008 by a 16–4 vote.

The bill will appear on Arizona’s ballot in November. If approved by a majority of the people, the amendment to the Arizona Constitution will protect citizens in that state from court decisions or legislative bills that could redefine marriage.

The North Carolina Constitution does not have an amendment defining marriage as the union between one man and one woman, nor has the General Assembly passed the bill that would give North Carolinians the chance to vote for an amendment in November. SB 1608–Defense of Marriage, is a bill that would give North Carolinians the opportunity to vote on an amendment to protect marriage. It has been introduced in the North Carolina Senate for the 2008 Session, but has yet to be considered.

"In North Carolina, our only path to a Marriage Amendment is through the General Assembly," said Bill Brooks, president of the North Carolina Family Policy Council. "Many citizens I talk with are upset that they are not being allowed to vote on such an important measure. Legislative leaders are putting politics before policy at a time when our state is increasingly vulnerable to lawsuits that would redefine marriage in North Carolina. They should pass a marriage amendment bill this year and allow voters to decide this matter at the polls in November."