Oklahoma State Question 711 (2004)
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Oklahoma's State Question No. 711 is a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment, a so-called "defense of marriage amendment" that amended the Oklahoma Constitution to make it unconstitutional for the state to recognize or perform same-sex marriages or civil unions. The measure was approved by 75.6% of the voters. Additionally, it is the only such amendment that establishes criminal penalties for issuing a marriage licence in violation of its provisions.[1]
The official ballot summary read, "This measure adds a new section of law to the Constitution. It adds Section 35 to Article 2. It defines marriage to be between one man and one woman. It prohibits giving the benefits of marriage to people who are not married. It provides that same sex marriages in other states are not valid in this state. It makes issuing a marriage license in violation of this section a misdemeanor."
Support
Supporters of State Question 711 have said the Oklahoma amendment deals with only one topic - marriage - and will withstand constitutional scrutiny in this state.
A SurveyUSA poll of 583 likely voters showed 73 percent of Oklahoma voters supported the amendment while just 29 percent were opposed. The poll was conducted from Oct. 4 to Oct. 6 with a plus-or- minus 3.8 percent margin of error.
Support for the amendment was overwhelming in all demographic groups.
Men were more likely than women to support the measure (77 percent of men compared to 70 percent of women), and those between age 35 and 49 and those over 65 showed the highest level of support (78 percent each) among age brackets.[2]
More than 4,000 people attended a "Pro-Marriage Rally" on Tuesday, an event organized by more than 40 Tulsa-area churches.
Nick Garland, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Broken Arrow, said in a press release that the purpose of the rally, held at the Union High School Performing Arts Center, was to "celebrate marriage between a man and a woman."[3]
Opposition
Opponents have argued that the proposed amendment would outlaw common-law marriages as well as same-sex marriages and unsuccessfully sought to have the question struck from the ballot on that basis. State questions can only address one issue at a time. However, the Oklahoma Supreme Court did not intervene..[2]
Financing the campaign
Supporters of the measure spent $21,644, while opponents spent $11,616.[4]
See also
External links
References
- ↑ DOMAwatch.org - Oklahoma
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Marriage question among most popular on state ballot
- ↑ Oklahomans for the protection of marriage
- ↑ Follow the Money database for Oklahoma State Question 711
