Minnesota marriage amendment makes 2012 ballot
May 23, 2011
SAINT PAUL, Minnesota: A proposed same-sex marriage amendment will appear on the November 6, 2012 ballot in Minnesota. The legislatively referred constitutional amendment was approved by both chambers of the Minnesota State Legislature. As such, it does not require the approval of Gov. Mark Dayton (D).[1]
The bill was first passed by the Minnesota State Senate on May 11, winning approval 38-27 along party lines. One Democrat, LeRoy Stumpf, crossed the aisle to support the measure.[2] On Saturday May 21, the bill won final approval in the Minnesota House of Representatives, again passing along largely partisan lines, 70-62. Two Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the bill, and four Republicans voted against the measure.[1]
The controversial measure generated hours of heated testimony in both houses and will likely be hotly contested in 2012.[2] Early polling by the Minneapolis Star Tribune suggests that public support for the measure may be weak. The poll found that 39% of respondents supported the measure while 55% opposed it.[3] Governor Dayton has also indicated his opposition to the bill.[4] However, supporters argue that the amendment is necessary to allow voters to set policy and protect existing statutes from judicial action.[5]
The measure is the first 2012 measure certified to be approved in Minnesota.
See also
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Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Boston.com, "Minn. marriage amendment on ballot," May 23, 2011
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Star Tribune, "Senate approves constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage," May 11, 2011
- ↑ Star Tribune, "Minnesota Poll: Support falls for ban on gay marriage," May 13, 2011
- ↑ Advocate.com, "Minn. Governor Addresses Equality Rally," April 15, 2011
- ↑ St. Cloud Times, "New legislators say same-sex marriage amendment could go to voters," November 27, 2010
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