A constitutional marriage amendment in Arizona apparently has become the first such proposal nationwide to fail at the ballot box.
Heading into Election Day, pro-family groups were 20-for-20 in adopting marriage amendments nationwide, passing them with an average of 71 percent. Seven additional states passed amendments Nov. 7, giving them majority status nationwide, with 27 now on the books.
What happened in Arizona, and how did it become the first to defeat a marriage amendment?
Conservatives say several factors came into play: Confusing ballot language, the debate did not focus on “gay marriage,” and a previous court ruling.
Unlike other states that voted on marriage amendments, an Arizona court recently ruled on “gay marriage.” In 2003, an appeals court panel voted 3-0 to uphold the state’s ban on “gay marriage,” and in 2004 the Arizona Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal.