May 8, 2012
Advocates and opponents of a proposed amendment to North Carolina's constitution that would make marriage between one man and one woman the only valid legal union have been working overtime to win voters' support ahead of today's vote -- and the measure seems set to pass, the Christian Post reports. Vote For Marriage NC has raised $1.1 million to help pass the amendment, while the opponent Coalition to Protect North Carolina Families has collected $2.2 million to do the opposite. Last week's Public Policy Polling poll of likely voters indicates the amendment is likely to pass 55-41 percent. "North Carolina is still a conservative, church-going state," said Gary Pearce, a longtime Democratic political consultant. "Particularly among older voters, there is discomfort with gay marriage." North Carolina has a state law that defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, but many believe the amendment is necessary to protect the law from gay activism and from same-sex couples married in other states suing North Carolina to have their marriage recognized. Twenty-eight states have so far passed constitutional amendments banning gay marriage.