November 4, 2004
Advocates of traditional marriage are celebrating a clean sweep after Election Day. All 11 states considering constitutional amendments defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman passed those initiatives. The margin of victory was decisive in all cases.
"It's no contest. Americans are saying 'yes' to marriage and 'no' to 'gay' counterfeits." That's the reaction of the Culture and Family Institute's Robert Knight to Tuesday's polling results regarding state constitutional amendments that essentially ban same-sex "marriage."
"There is absolutely no question as to where Americans stat on this issue," Knight continues. "The eleven states with amendments on the ballot represent diverse populations that have come together to defend marriage."
Following are those states - along with the voting percentages - that voted on and approved a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman.
State / Nov. 2 Results (for - against)
Arkansas / 75% - 25%
Georgia / 77% - 23%
Kentucky / 75% - 25%
Michigan / 59% - 41%
Mississippi / 86% - 14%
Montana / 66% - 34%
North Dakota / 73% - 27%
Ohio / 62% - 38%
Oklahoma / 76% - 24%
Oregon / 57% - 43%
Utah / 66% - 34%
Comparable initiatives have passed in several other states - Alaska, Hawaii, Nebraska, Nevada, Missouri, and Louisiana - by similar margins over the past few months. These referendums on marriage are seen by some as a backlash to a 4-3 decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in November 2003 that legalized same-sex marriage in that state. Knight has a message to people who live in the Bay State.
