Historic Election for Marriage Equality
Yesterday, the issue of same-sex marriage was on the ballot in four states, and in all four, voters chose in favor of marriage equality.
By a margin of 53-47, Maine became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote. The vote on Question 1 overturns a voter-approved 2009 ballot measure that banned same-sex marriage in the state, which was initiated after the Maine legislature approved a law allowing it. According to the Secretary of State's office, same-sex couples would be able to obtain marriage licenses by January 5.
Voters in Maryland and Washington upheld laws legalizing same-sex marriage that were passed earlier in the year by the legislature. The margin of victory in both states was 52-48.
By a margin of 51-48, Minnesota voters defeated a constitutional amendment (Amendment 1) that would have defined marriage as solely between a man and a woman.
This brings the total of states authorizing same-sex marriage to nine, plus the District of Columbia. Legislative action was taken in New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. to legalize gay marriage. Meanwhile court challenges in Connecticut, Iowa, and Massachusetts eventually led to same-sex marriage legalization.