Marriage Amendment

CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY: Thursday morning, the California Supreme Court by a 4-3 decision ruled that the California state statute defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman is unconstitutional. The ruling means that California now becomes the second state to redefine marriage to include same-sex relationships. While our attorneys continue to read and analyze the 172-page opinion, here's one key excerpt: "We cannot find that retention of the traditional definition of marriage constitutes a compelling state interest. Accordingly, we conclude that to the extent the current California statutory provisions limit marriage to opposite-sex couples, these statutes are unconstitutional."

The California decision shows exactly what we want to avoid here in Arizona ---judges overturning a state statute defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. It's up to the people to decide the definition of marriage, not judges and not politicians. A state constitutional amendment is the only way to protect marriage in Arizona. SCR 1042, the proposed marriage amendment, would add the following language to the Arizona Constitution: "Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state."

Whether or not Arizona voters get to vote on the marriage amendment this November depends on Arizona Senate President Tim Bee. The next step in this process is for Sen. Bee to schedule a vote in the Senate when all the members committed to voting "yes" are present and able to vote. At this time, Senate President Tim Bee has not indicated clearly whether or when he will bring the marriage amendment to the Senate floor for a vote.

Opponents of the marriage amendment prefer that judges make the decision about marriage like they've done in California and Massachusetts, not you the voter. Throughout the last three months, opponents have tried a series of political maneuvers and made a number of false claims in a desperate attempt to block Arizona voters from deciding the definition of marriage. The pressure will only increase in the Senate. That's why President Bee's leadership is so crucial.

ACTION ITEMS: Please contact your state Senator TODAY and politely ask him or her to vote "YES" on SCR 1042. Please contact President Tim Bee. Politely ask him to schedule the vote on SCR 1042 on the first day possible when all the senators supporting the amendment will be present and available to vote. Let Senator Bee know you, the voters, want the opportunity to vote on marriage in November! [go to www.azpolicy.org for further information]

After a similar court decision in Massachusetts in 2003, Republicans used support for traditional marriage to invigorate social conservatives, most importantly in the key battleground state of Ohio during the last presidential election. A nationwide Gallup Poll taken last week shows opposition to same-sex unions has not eased, and the voters most likely to say it could affect their vote are almost all opposed to gay marriage.