A Guide to the Minnesota Marriage Amendment

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When they will be tasked with voting on a variety of candidates and measures, including the proposed constitutional amendment regarding marriage.

The question on the ballot will read:

Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota? 

Marriage between two gay individuals is not currently recognized by Minnesota law. A ballot cast with no vote on this question will count as a "no" vote. This amendment would also invalidate common-law marraiges for straight couples.

Richfield Patch has been covering the measure since the Legislature passed the bill near end of the 2011 spring session. From how local churches are reacting to voter opinions, we've covered it all. Below you will find links to a variety of stories regarding the issue:

Churches

Patch ran a series of stories focused on each religious denomination in town and the positions each has taken on the issue:

• Local Priest Says Churches Are 'Puppets of the State' When It Comes To Marriage
• Richfield Baptist Leaders Support 2012 Ballot Measure Banning Same-Sex Marriage
• Richfield Methodists Confront Gay Marriage Differently
• Gay Marriage Amendment Splits Richfield Lutheran Churches

Voters Speak Out

Patch asked local voters to tell us why they were voting for or against the measure:

• Minnesota Marriage Amendment: Why I'm Voting 'No'
• Minnesota Marriage Amendment: Why I'm Voting 'Yes'

We also spoke with a gay Richfield couple, Rev. Dr. Robyn Provis and Kathy Luebbe, about their coming outs, the journey that followed and their view on the amendment:

Provis, a pastor at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis, also spoke about her thoughts on homosexuality and the Bible:

A Richfield man and actor was featured in a Minnesotans United for All Families ad, opposing the amendment:

• VIDEO: Richfield Man Appears in Ad Opposing Marriage Amendment

In addition, Patch also received Letters to the Editor regarding the measure:

• Richfield Resident Addresses Community About New Amendment That Would Ban Gay Marriage
• Pastor: Withholding Marriage Rights is a 'Tragic Misuse of Our Electoral Process'
• Veteran Asks Voters to Vote 'No' on Proposed Amendments

Business

A variety of local businesses have come out in support and opposition of the amendment. Patch created a list of all the businesses speaking out:

• Minnesota Companies That Support The Marriage Amendment
• Minnesota Companies That Oppose The Marriage Amendment

Richfield-based Best Buy was urged to take a position, however, has yet to do so:

• Thousands Urge Best Buy to Oppose Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment
• Push for Best Buy to Oppose Marriage Amendment Grows
• Campaign Urging Best Buy to Oppose Marriage Amendment Continues to Grow

Government

Not surprisingly, Richfield's legislators and fellow DFLers Reps. Linda Slocum and Paul Thissen, and Sen. Ken Kelash, all condemned the passage of the bill in 2011.

• Recap: The Gay Marriage Debate

The Richfield Human Rights Commission also publically opposed the amendment:

• City Commission Passes Resolution Against Proposed Constitutional Amendments

Polls

As we near Election Day, poll numbers are showing that support for the amendment is falling.

A Public Policy Polling survey released Nov. 4, just two days before the election, showed the measure will likely fail:

An October 2012 study showed an even split:

• New Poll Shows Even Split Between Voters on Marriage Amendment

A September 2012 survey showed the measure was likely to pass:

Organizations

While there are many groups have come together in support and opposition of the amendment, there are two major organizations that stand out:

• See what supporters say: Minnesota for Marriage
• See what opponents say: Minnesota United for All Families

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More Election Guides:

• A Guide to the 2012 Richfield City Council Races
• A Guide to the Minnesota 5th Congressional District Race
• A Guide to the Richfield Referendum Proposals
• A Guide to the Minnesota Voter ID Amendment