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2006 State Marriage Amendments

The following state marriage amendments will be voted on in each respective state November 7:

Arizona

Be it enacted by the People of Arizona:
Article: 107. Constitution of Arizona is proposed to be added as follows if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor:

Article 107. Marriage to preserve and protect marriage in this state, only a union between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage by this state or its political subdivisions and no legal status for unmarried persons shall be created or recognized by this state or its political subdivisions that is similar to that of marriage.

The Secretary of State shall submit this proposition to the voters at the next general election as provided by article XXI, Constitution of Arizona.

News Report

Opponents of Prop 107 Dance Around Same-Sex 'Marriage'

Colorado

Amendment 43 amends the state constitution by defining marriage in Colorado as only a union between one man and one woman:

For a marriage to be valid under Colorado statutes, it must be (1) between a man and a woman; and (2) licensed, solemnized, and registered according to established procedures. Colorado also recognizes common law marriage.

Media Report

Homosexual Rights, Marriage Measures Spark Debate

Idaho

House Joint Resolution 2

"Shall Article III, of the Constitution of the State of Idaho be amended by the addition of a new Section 28, to provide that a marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state?"

Legislative Council's Statement of Meaning and Purpose

The proposed amendment would add a new Section 28 to Article III of the Constitution of the State of Idaho, stating that a marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in the state of Idaho.

South Carolina

1. Must Article XVII of the Constitution of this State be amended by adding Section 15 so as to provide that in this State and its political subdivisions, a marriage between one man and one woman is the only lawful domestic union that shall be valid or recognized; that this State and its political subdivisions shall not create, recognize, or give effect to a legal status, right, or claim created by another jurisdiction respecting any other domestic union, however denominated; that this amendment shall not impair any right or benefit extended by the State or its political subdivisions other than a right or benefit arising from a domestic union that is not valid or recognized in this State; and that this amendment shall not prohibit or limit the ability of parties other than the State or its political subdivisions from entering into contracts or other legal instruments?

Yes []

No []

Explanation of above:

This amendment provides that the institution of marriage in South Carolina consists only of the union between one man and one woman. No other domestic union is valid and legal. The State and its political subdivisions are prohibited from creating or recognizing any right or claim respecting any other domestic union, whatever it may be called, or from giving effect to any such right or benefit recognized in any other state or jurisdiction.

However, this amendment also makes clear it does not impair rights or benefits extended by this State, or its political subdivisions not arising from other domestic unions, nor does the amendment prohibit private parties from entering into contracts or other legal instruments.

Media Report

Asking the Marriage Question

South Dakota

Constitutional Amendment C: An Amendment to Article XXI of the South Dakota Constitution, relating to marriage.

South Dakota statutes currently limit marriage to unions between a man and a woman. However, the State Constitution does not address marriage.

Amendment C would amend the State Constitution to allow and recognize marriage only between a man and a woman. It would also prohibit the Legislature from allowing or recognizing civil unions, domestic partnerships or other quasi-marital relationships between two or more persons regardless of sex.

Tennessee

Constitution Amendment #1

Shall Article XI of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee be amended by adding the following language as a new, appropriately designated section:

SECTION___. The historical institution and legal contract solemnizing the relationship of one man and one woman shall be the only legally recognized marital contract in this

state. Any policy or law or judicial interpretation, purporting to define marriage as anything other than the historical institution and legal contract between one man and one woman, is contrary to the public policy of this state and shall be void and unenforceable in Tennessee. If another state or foreign jurisdiction issues a license for persons to marry

and if such marriage is prohibited in this state by the provisions of this section, then the marriage shall be void and unenforceable in this state.

Virginia

ARTICLE I
BILL OF RIGHTS

Section 15-A. Marriage.
That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions.

This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, sign if icance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage.

Question that will appear on the Ballot:
Shall Article I (the Bill of Rights) of the Constitution of Virginia be amended to state:

“That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions.

This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, sign if icance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage.”?

Wisconsin

QUESTION 1

“Marriage. Shall section 13 of Article XIII of the constitution be created to provide that only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state and that a legal status identical or substantially similar to that of a marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized in this state?”

Media Reports

Patrick McIlheran, Milwaukee Journal Sentinal:

The Amendment's Cruel? Alternatives are Crueler

Majority of Likely Voters Supports Same-Sex ‘Marriage' Ban, Wispolitics.Com Poll Shows

Poll: Majority Still Support Constitutional Marriage Amendment

PREVIOUSLY PASSED STATE MARRIAGE AMENDMENTS