In February, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a law allowing gay and lesbian couples in Washington to marry. It will take effect June 7 unless, as expected, opponents get enough signatures to put the law before voters in November — with the hope voters will reject it. If opponents qualify Referendum 74, history is on their side. Since 1998, the definition of marriage has been voted on 34 times in this country and not once did voters support same-sex couples. Backers of Washington’s law say attitudes are changing and the streak will end this fall. Here’s how balloting has gone elsewhere.
State | Year | Ballot name | Purpose | Placed on ballot by | Nature of change | Outcome | Yes | No |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alaska | 1998 | Measure 2 | Definition of marriage | Legislative referendum | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 68.1% | 31.9% |
Hawaii | 1998 | Question 2 | Give Legislature right to define marriage | Legislature | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 69.2% | 28.6% |
California | 2000 | Proposition 22 | Definition of marriage | Citizen initiative | State law | Passed | 61.4% | 38.6% |
Nebraska | 2000 | Initiative 416 | Definition of marriage | Citizen initiative | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 67.5% | 28.8% |
Nevada* | 2000 | Question 2 (first vote) | Definition of marriage | Citizen initiative | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 69.6% | 30.4% |
Nevada* | 2002 | Question 2 (passage) | Definition of marriage | Citizen initiative | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 67.2% | 32.8% |
Arkansas | 2004 | Amendment 3 | Definition of marriage | Citizen initiative | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 75.0% | 25.0% |
Georgia | 2004 | Amendment 1 | Definition of marriage | Legislature | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 76.2% | 23.8% |
Kentucky | 2004 | Amendment 1 | Definition of marriage | Legislature | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 74.6% | 25.4% |
Louisiana | 2004 | Amendment 1 | Definition of marriage | Legislature | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 77.8% | 22.2% |
Michigan | 2004 | Proposal 2 | Definition of marriage | Citizen initiative | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 58.6% | 41.4% |
Mississippi | 2004 | Amendment 1 | Definition of marriage | Legislature | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 86.0% | 14.0% |
Missouri | 2004 | Amendment 2 | Definition of marriage | Legislature | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 70.6% | 29.4% |
Montana | 2004 | Constitutional Initiative 96 | Definition of marriage | Citizen initiative | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 66.6% | 33.4% |
North Dakota | 2004 | Constitutional Measure 1 | Definition of marriage | Citizen initiative | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 73.2% | 26.8% |
Ohio | 2004 | Issue 1 | Definition of marriage | Citizen initiative | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 61.7% | 38.3% |
Oklahoma | 2004 | Question 711 | Definition of marriage | Legislature | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 75.6% | 24.4% |
Oregon | 2004 | Measure 36 | Definition of marriage | Citizen initiative | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 56.6% | 43.4% |
Utah | 2004 | Amendment 3 | Definition of marriage | Legislature | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 65.9% | 34.1% |
Kansas | 2005 | Amendment 1 | Definition of marriage | Legislative referendum | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 70.0% | 30.0% |
Texas | 2005 | Proposition 2 | Definition of marriage | Legislature | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 76.3% | 23.7% |
Alabama | 2006 | Amendment 774 | Definition of marriage | Legislative referendum | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 81.2% | 18.8% |
Arizona | 2006 | Proposition 107 | Definition of marriage | Citizen initiative | Constitutional amendment | Failed | 48.2% | 51.8% |
Colorado | 2006 | Amendment 43 | Definition of marriage | Citizen initiative | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 55.0% | 45.0% |
Idaho | 2006 | House Joint Resolution 2 | Definition of marriage | Legislature | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 63.4% | 36.6% |
South Carolina | 2006 | Amendment 1 | Definition of marriage | Legislature | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 78.0% | 22.0% |
South Dakota | 2006 | Amendment C | Definition of marriage | Legislature | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 52.0% | 48.0% |
Tennessee | 2006 | Amendment 1 | Definition of marriage | Legislature | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 81.3% | 18.7% |
Virginia | 2006 | Question 1 | Definition of marriage | Legislature | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 57.1% | 42.9% |
Wisconsin | 2006 | Question 1 | Definition of marriage | Legislature | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 59.4% | 40.6% |
Arizona | 2008 | Proposition 102 | Definition of marriage | Legislature | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 56.2% | 43.8% |
California | 2008 | Proposition 8 | Definition of marriage | Citizen initiative | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 52.3% | 47.7% |
Florida | 2008 | Proposition 2 | Definition of marriage | Citizen initiative | Constitutional amendment | Passed | 62.1% | 37.9% |
Maine | 2009 | Question 1 | Repeal same-sex marriage law | Popular referendum | State law | Passed | 52.7% | 47.3% |
* Nevada law requires constitutional amendments be approved in two consecutive general elections.
SOURCES: Ballotpedia, National Conference of State Legislatures, Wall Street Journal
More about same-sex-marriage politics
• Wall Street Journal interactive map
• Ballotpedia
• Freedom to Marry
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