Posted on 08/02/2004 11:19:06 PM PDT by kattracks
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The presidential race is not the only high-stakes political battle being waged in Missouri this year. The state votes today on a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex "marriage," marking the first such vote in the nation since Massachusetts legalized homosexual "marriage" last year. National groups on both sides of the debate expect the vote to be a litmus test for which campaign strategies work as the battle spreads to ballot boxes across the United States. "What happens here in Missouri could have a tremendous impact on the rest of the nation's other elections," said Vicky Hartzler, spokeswoman for the group backing the amendment, the Coalition to Protect Marriage in Missouri. "I'm hopeful we will be able to send a very strong, clear message from Missouri that here in the heartland, we value traditional marriage." At least nine other states, and perhaps as many as 12, will vote on similar amendments this year. Four states already have similar amendments. Missouri's proposed amendment has prompted national homosexual rights groups to send more than $100,000 to the state organization fighting the ban, and they expect to spend millions of dollars across the country before the general election.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
Yep. They've moved the vote forward from November but I expect the constitutional amendment to pass.
why arent' they doing it in november?
It may have backfired, though. From what I read, about 59% of those polled in MO oppose gay marriage.
One reason for even social moderates/liberals to vote against gay marriage - we are all worried about gay marriage now, but allowing gay marriage will also pave the way directly for polygamous Islamic marriage. This is something that IMO is even a *greater* social threat than gay marriage, and having a clear state constitutional provision that marriage is *one* man, *one* woman will help forestall that possibility.
"Gay marriage supporters fought tooth & nail to get it on the August ballot"
Why would the opponents of the amendment be allowed to set the date? It would be much better to have it in november, as it would raise conservative turnout for Bush.
Gov. Holden wanted the gay marriage referendum on an August ballot, because the Dems thought that at least some conservative voters would stay home (it being an "off" election.) Matt Blunt wanted it in November, and so he used whatever legal technicalities he could find to delay the vote.
MO atty general Jay Nixon (also a liberal Democrat) sued the Secy of State's office to force them to schedule an August ballot. Several lower courts supported Blunt but eventually the MO Supreme Court ruled in favor of the AG, so we had the vote today. Haven't checked the news yet - hope gay marriage lost hands down, but we'll see.
Constitutional Amendment 2
Marriage Definition
Yes 213,908 68.1% (Marriage=one man and one woman)
No 100,265 31.9%
Total Votes 314,173
Precincts Reporting 437 of 3992
One Term Bob is in trouble too.
Governor Precincts Reporting 499 of 3992
Holden, Bob DEM 96,339 47.9%
McCaskill, Claire DEM 99,691 49.5%
LePage, Jim DEM 3,408 1.7%
Emrick, Jeffery A. DEM 1,885 .9%
I am sure he will find the votes somewhere.
I'm not sure how I want that one to turn out. I feel pretty good about Matt Blunt's chances against either Democrat though.
I hope OTB squeaks by so Matt can clean his clock in November.
Very happy to report, I voted YES in the "FIRST" state to amend their constitution to send a signal to the perverts all the way to the Supremes.
My polling place was very busy I waited about 40 minutes to vote and we are a rural area south of KC, MO.
Looks like one for the list!
Because it was thought by the demoncats that it would bring more out to the polls on Nov 2nd... more conservative voters... and that they feared greately.
A landslide vote and it wasn't close. It backfired on the Democrats. Good to see One Term Bob goin' down - he's really earned his moniker. President Bush's coattails should sweep Matt Blunt into the Missouri statehouse - the GOP already controls the State Legislature. As Missouri goes so does that nation. I'm looking forward to November already!
btt
Rural area southwest of St.Louis, Franklin County, had busy polling place too. I picked a "slow" time, 2 pm, to go vote and found I still had a ten minute wait. Lots of little ol' blue haired ladies voting and I suspect Amendment One, Defense of Marriage, got their vote.
Perhaps once the urban areas flow in 59 will be the number. I'm interested in that.
Whoops, that's Amendment Two, Defense of Marriage... Well, doh.
It will finish strong even in urban areas. The Democratic Party is out of touch with their own rank and file on the issue of marriage.
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