2012 Freedom to Marry Ballot Initiatives

10/01/2012

The 2012 Freedom to Marry Ballot Initiatives: On the Ground in Four Key States

By Jill Barkley, ACLU of Maine & Meredith Curtis, ACLU of Maryland & Dean Jackson, ACLU of Washington & Jana Kooren, ACLU of Minnesota at 5:08pm

Marriage for same-sex couples is on the ballot in four states this November, and it will be a pivotal moment for the LGBT movement. In Maine, Maryland and Washington voters have the opportunity to expand the freedom to marry to same-sex couples; and Minnesota voters could make that state the first ever to defeat a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Even a single ballot box win would change the national debate and would reinforce the polls showing growing majorities across the country that support marriage for committed same-sex couples.

12/06/2012

Marriage for Same-Sex Couples

At Last, Love and Equality Win the Day

By Kathleen Taylor, ACLU of Washington at 1:50pm

Love and equality won nearly 54 percent of the vote in Washington on November 6^th. In approving Referendum 74, the voters recognized that all committed, loving couples, gay and straight alike, should be able to marry under state law. And this Sunday, December 9th same-sex couples will get married in homes and courthouses across our state for the first time!

11/07/2012

2012 Freedom to Marry Ballot Initiatives

A Marriage Moment (and Another One to Come)

By James Esseks, Director, ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender & AIDS Project at 11:56am

The nation has just had a marriage moment – a tipping point where voters in at least two states have affirmed the freedom to marry for same-sex couples. The vote illustrates that the country is getting squarely behind the notion that same-sex couples should be able to make the same legal commitment to each other that straight folks can. And this marriage moment provides immeasurable support for the prospect of another one next June, when the Supreme Court is likely to issue its views on marriage for same-sex couples.

11/05/2012

2012 Freedom to Marry Ballot Initiatives

Election Day for Marriage: What’s at Stake

By Selene Kaye, ACLU at 12:53pm

America goes to the polls today, and as we all know, there is a great deal at stake – from ballot measures on an array of civil liberties issues, to congressional seats, to the make-up of state legislatures, and of course, the presidency.

10/22/2012

Marriage for Same-Sex Couples

Washington State Votes by Mail to Approve Referendum 74

By Dean Jackson, ACLU of Washington at 11:11am

Election Day is in 15 days and it will be a pivotal moment for LGBT rights. Voters in three states – Maine, Maryland, and Washington – have the opportunity to be the first to grant same-sex couples the freedom to marry, and voters in Minnesota can be the first to defeat a hurtful constitutional amendment to ban marriage for same-sex couples.

Washington is a vote-by-mail state and ballots will be in voters’ mailboxes this week. Washingtoninans can start sending in their ballots to Approve Referendum 74 and secure the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples.

10/16/2012

2012 Freedom to Marry Ballot Initiatives

The Freedom to Marry Hits the Airwaves

By Jill Barkley, ACLU of Maine & Meredith Curtis, ACLU of Maryland & Dean Jackson, ACLU of Washington & Jana Kooren, ACLU of Minnesota at 10:43am

Two weeks ago we brought you news about the four states that have marriage-related ballot initiatives this fall. As the election quickly approaches, each of the campaigns in Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington have begun running television ads that highlight the stories of individuals, religious leaders, and community leaders who support the freedom to marry. These ads show the underlying issue at stake this fall – that marriage, both for straight and gay couples, is about building a life with someone and making a commitment to take care of and love one another.

10/31/2012

2012 Freedom to Marry Ballot Initiatives

Polling Numbers Giving Freedom to Marry Ballot Efforts Advantage as Election Day Approaches

By Jill Barkley, ACLU of Maine & Meredith Curtis, ACLU of Maryland & Dean Jackson, ACLU of Washington & Jana Kooren, ACLU of Minnesota at 11:17am

With less than a week until Election Day, ACLU affiliates and their coalition partners in states with questions regarding marriage for gay and lesbian couples on the ballot are intensifying their efforts to make history next week. In Maine, Maryland and Washington, voters have the opportunity to expand the freedom to marry to same-sex couples; and Minnesota voters could make that state the first ever to defeat a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Polling data in each of the four states is encouraging, but close. As we near the finish line, thousands of volunteers and coalition staffers are working hard to ensure that all loving, committed couples can marry. Here’s a round up of what’s happening on the ground:

American Civil Liberties Union