Some of the nation’s most divisive social issues – gay marriage, abortion and affirmative action – went before voters Tuesday as 36 states passed judgment on ballot measures as well as candidates.
Of the 153 measures at stake, the most momentous was a proposed constitutional amendment in California that would limit marriage to heterosexual couples.
Similar measures have prevailed previously in 27 states, but none were in California’s situation – with thousands of gay couples already married in the aftermath of a state Supreme Court ruling in May.
The opposing sides together raised about $70 million, much of it from out of state, to wage their campaigns. The outcome, either way, will have a huge impact on prospects for spreading same-sex marriage to the 47 states that do not allow it.
Florida’s Amendment 2, defining Marriage as between one man and one woman, looks posed to pass — it already has a 62% majority, only 60% was needed.
Just saw this on CBS’ website:
Ban Same Sex Marriage
1501 of 25429 Precincts Reporting
% — Votes
Yes 54% 1,143,227
No 46% 954,776
Bother! Post #2 refered to California. I meant to say that, but didn’t. Long night.
Florida is:
Ban Same Sex Marriage
6063 of 7005 Precincts Reporting
V% Votes
Yes 62% 4,271,492
No 38% 2,609,097
It strikes me that there’s irony in the fact the California’s constitutional amendment is probably passing because blacks (who came out to vote for Obama) are voting against it. Look at the break down in the exit poll data… Blacks are voting for it 69% to 31%… If the overall exit poll data was weighted by the usual racial turnout ratios, they underestimated the number of black voters and the amendment will pass easily – but at only 13% of the precincts, it’s early.