Since 1992, opponents of gay marriage have amassed a stunning record at the ballot box. In all 32 states that have voted on marriage equality via a ballot referendum, opponents have won every single time.
This November an additional four states will vote on ballot measures dealing with marriage equality. Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington will on a state-by-state basis expand or further restrict the ability of same-sex couples to legally marry in their states. Equality supporters hope this will finally be the year that their 30 state losing streak is broken and polling suggests that is likely.
Over the next two weeks we’ll take a look at the ballot referendums in each state. First up, Maryland.
In 2012, the Maryland General Assembly passed a bill allowing same-sex marriage, which was signed into law by Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. The law stated that same-sex couples would be permitted to marry starting January 1, 2013.
In the interim, opposition groups collected enough signatures to get a referendum placed on the November ballot, which asks voters in Maryland to vote “For” or “Against” the same-sex marriage law. The ballot referendum is officially known as Question 6 – the Civil Marriage Protection Act.
A poll conducted by the Washington Post in mid-October found the referendum leading 52 percent to 43 percent. A yes vote would support keeping the same-sex marriage law in place allowing it to go into effect January 1 of 2013. As is found in almost all polling, younger voters are more supportive of same-sex marriage. Among voters age 18 to 39, 64 percent would vote yes, 51 percent of those age 40 to 64 are supportive and only 40 percent of those over the age of 65 will vote yes according to the polling.
Marylanders For Marriage Equality are the main coalition working to pass the referendum. Please visit their website to learn more about Question 6.
