Arizona lawmakers on Monday introduced legislation in the House and Senate to amend the state Constitution to protect marriage. Under the proposal, "only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state."
The measure is expected to pass in both chambers, which would allow voters to decide the issue in November.
Cathi Herrod, president of The Center for Arizona Policy, said the majority of Arizonans support traditional marriage.
“Polling data shows that 65 percent of Arizonans agree that marriage should be the union of one man and one woman,” she said. “This amendment focuses on that agreement.”
Arizona has a law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, but marriage advocates say an amendment is still critical. In 2006, Arizona became the first state to defeat a marriage amendment at the polls.
"At some point, a court (or) the Legislature could overturn our statute," Ron Johnson, who lobbies on behalf of the Arizona Catholic Conference, told the Arizona Daily Star. "So we want to let the people decide whether to put this in the Constitution."
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more, or to contact your lawmakers, visit The Center for Arizona Policy Web site.
Twenty-seven states have amended their constitutions to protect marriage.
