Protecting Marriage or Limiting Marriage

The battle of same-sex marriage in California continues.

Earlier this year, those in favor of traditional marriage were able to place on the November 2008 ballot a measure to amend the California Constitution to include the statement, "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." This measure, if passed, would be titled the "California Marriage Protection Act." This is proposition 8 on the ballot.

However, taking into account the Supreme Court of California decision in May of this year to allow same-sex marriage, the California Secretary of State gave proposition 8 the label "Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couple to Marry," and gave as the first line of the description of the initiative as, "Changes California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry."

Those in favor of traditional marriage felt that this wording was biased and challened the wording in court. Their concern is that with this ballot wording, voters would be less likely to vote in favor of defining marriage as between a man and a woman. On August 8, the Superior Court ruled in favor of the Secretary of State. Although the proponents of the proposition plan to appeal, it is quickly becoming unlikely that the wording will be changed.

To see the official ballot label, click here and scroll down to Proposition 8.