Voters could face gay marriage issue on November ballots
Voters could face gay marriage issue on November ballots
ANN SANNER
Copyright by The Associated Press
Belleville News Democrat
May 1, 2006
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Opponents of gay marriage hope to give voters a chance to speak out on the issue through an advisory referendum this fall, a move that could affect political races by bringing more conservatives to the polls.
Organizers of "Protect Marriage Illinois" predicted Monday that they will have enough signatures - thousands more than the 283,111 needed - to get a referendum on the November ballot.
It would ask voters whether they think the Illinois Constitution should define marriage between a man and a woman as the only valid legal union in Illinois. The results won't change the constitution but could influence whether lawmakers ever take that step.
"The people don't want their children taught in school that marriage is between one man and another man," David E. Smith, project director for Protect Marriage Illinois.
Critics argue the petition drive is just an attempt to mobilize conservative voters.
"This has nothing to do with public policy," said Rick Garcia, political director for the gay rights group Equality Illinois. "It has everything to do with right-wing politics."
A 1996 Illinois law already prohibits same-sex marriage. But Massachusetts had a similar law that was struck down by the state Supreme Court, leading to legalization of gay marriages there.
Opponents fear the same thing could happen here unless the Illinois Constitution is changed. Several lawmakers tried to amend the state constitution last year, but their proposals were stuck in a House committee.
"We've decided to take it to the people and let their voices be heard on this issue," Smith said.
Organizers originally hoped to collect 500,000 signatures in support of the referendum - more than enough to withstand any challenges to the validity of some signatures. They've stopped stressing that number, and Smith wouldn't say how many signatures had been collected.
The group is collecting petitions until May 3 and then will take a few days to go through the signatures, which could be on between 50,000 to 70,000 sheets of paper, before submitting them to the state, Smith said.
If they succeed, this would be Illinois' first statewide advisory referendum since 1978, according to the State Board of Elections.
But actually amending the constitution would require many more steps. The most common approach would be for both chambers of the Legislature to vote by three-fifths majority to put an amendment on the ballot, where it would have to be approved by three-fifths of voters.
Garcia said the referendum is meant to identify and organize conservative voters.
"If they were so concerned with marriage, why aren't they promoting a constitutional ban on divorce?" Garcia said. "Divorce is a threat to heterosexual marriage. Gay people are not."
State Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson said he's circulated petitions for the initiative at several dinners but hadn't considered any political benefits.
"This transcends both parties," the Greenville Republican said. "This is not a partisan issue. Democrats and Republicans alike are supporting this issue."
Smith said Sen. James Meeks, a Chicago independent, has held a petition drive at the huge church he runs. Meeks did not return a call seeking comment.
The Illinois Family Institute is spearheading the campaign. Other organizations, including Concerned Women for America and Illinois Catholic bishops, also back the initiative.
As for the petitions, Smith said he's keeping them in a "very, very safe place" and "under a tarp so they don't get wet by a fire sprinkler."
ON THE NET
Protect Marriage Illinois: http://www.protectmarriageillinois.org
Equality Illinois: http://www.equalityillinois.org
ANN SANNER
Copyright by The Associated Press
Belleville News Democrat
May 1, 2006
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Opponents of gay marriage hope to give voters a chance to speak out on the issue through an advisory referendum this fall, a move that could affect political races by bringing more conservatives to the polls.
Organizers of "Protect Marriage Illinois" predicted Monday that they will have enough signatures - thousands more than the 283,111 needed - to get a referendum on the November ballot.
It would ask voters whether they think the Illinois Constitution should define marriage between a man and a woman as the only valid legal union in Illinois. The results won't change the constitution but could influence whether lawmakers ever take that step.
"The people don't want their children taught in school that marriage is between one man and another man," David E. Smith, project director for Protect Marriage Illinois.
Critics argue the petition drive is just an attempt to mobilize conservative voters.
"This has nothing to do with public policy," said Rick Garcia, political director for the gay rights group Equality Illinois. "It has everything to do with right-wing politics."
A 1996 Illinois law already prohibits same-sex marriage. But Massachusetts had a similar law that was struck down by the state Supreme Court, leading to legalization of gay marriages there.
Opponents fear the same thing could happen here unless the Illinois Constitution is changed. Several lawmakers tried to amend the state constitution last year, but their proposals were stuck in a House committee.
"We've decided to take it to the people and let their voices be heard on this issue," Smith said.
Organizers originally hoped to collect 500,000 signatures in support of the referendum - more than enough to withstand any challenges to the validity of some signatures. They've stopped stressing that number, and Smith wouldn't say how many signatures had been collected.
The group is collecting petitions until May 3 and then will take a few days to go through the signatures, which could be on between 50,000 to 70,000 sheets of paper, before submitting them to the state, Smith said.
If they succeed, this would be Illinois' first statewide advisory referendum since 1978, according to the State Board of Elections.
But actually amending the constitution would require many more steps. The most common approach would be for both chambers of the Legislature to vote by three-fifths majority to put an amendment on the ballot, where it would have to be approved by three-fifths of voters.
Garcia said the referendum is meant to identify and organize conservative voters.
"If they were so concerned with marriage, why aren't they promoting a constitutional ban on divorce?" Garcia said. "Divorce is a threat to heterosexual marriage. Gay people are not."
State Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson said he's circulated petitions for the initiative at several dinners but hadn't considered any political benefits.
"This transcends both parties," the Greenville Republican said. "This is not a partisan issue. Democrats and Republicans alike are supporting this issue."
Smith said Sen. James Meeks, a Chicago independent, has held a petition drive at the huge church he runs. Meeks did not return a call seeking comment.
The Illinois Family Institute is spearheading the campaign. Other organizations, including Concerned Women for America and Illinois Catholic bishops, also back the initiative.
As for the petitions, Smith said he's keeping them in a "very, very safe place" and "under a tarp so they don't get wet by a fire sprinkler."
ON THE NET
Protect Marriage Illinois: http://www.protectmarriageillinois.org
Equality Illinois: http://www.equalityillinois.org
posted by Carlos T Mock at 8:40 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home