Marriage and Family Restoration on North Carolina's 2012 Ballot

The North Carolina Senate voted last week to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot in 2012, trusting the people of North Carolina with the future of marriage in that State.  Both the North Carolina House and the Senate approved the measure with the constitutionally required three-fifths majority, referring the marriage amendment to the people of North Carolina next year. See the New York Times article and its discussion of the matter at http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/14/us/north-carolina-voters-to-decide-on-same-sex-marriage.html.

Marriage expansion continues to be a battle that states want to stave off.  Voters want the right to decide the future of marriage, how it is defined, and what it means for society. Many grassroots organizations were involved in this important opportunity, including the Family Research Council, North Carolina Family Policy Council and the North Carolina Values Coalition.

New York’s recent same sex marriage legislation continues to be fought by the citizens of that State.  A challenge to the law was filed in July, alleging multiple instances of wrongdoing and questionable tactics in the way the law was passed.  The State executives are seeking to have that challenge dismissed.  See http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/81394/state-seeks-dismissal-of-same-sex-marriage-challenge/.

North Carolina is a state that does not want to follow the same path as New York, but rather has worked to allow the citizens of that State to vote on the matter.  Family strength depends on marriage law that is stable, and fosters family stability as well.