State votes on constitutional ban on gay marriage

May 09, 2012 00:42

The United States debate over gay marriage focused today on North Carolina as voters decided whether to make it the 29th state to pass a constitutional amendment defining marriage as solely between a man and a woman. In the final days before the vote, members of President Barack Obama's cabinet expressed support for gay marriage and former President Bill Clinton recorded phone messages urging voters to reject the amendment. Meanwhile, church leaders urged Sunday congregations to vote for the amendment.

The Rev. Billy Graham, who remains influential, was featured in full-page newspaper ads supporting the amendment. Experts expect the measure to pass, despite the state's long history of moderate politics. North Carolina law already bans gay marriage, like nine other states, but an amendment would effectively slam the door on same-sex marriages.

Six states all in the Northeast except Iowa and the District of Columbia allow same-sex marriages. The North Carolina amendment was placed on the ballot after Republicans took over control of the state legislature after the 2010 elections, a role they hadn't enjoyed for 140 years.

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