BATTLE LOOMS FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BAN
BATTLE LOOMS FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BAN
Voters passed same-sex marriage bans in 12 states in 2004. Barring an avalanche of last-minute petitions, an effort to place a similar measure in the Florida Constitution won't make November's ballot.
The 611,000 petitions needed here amounts to the nation's highest qualification threshold. Also, Florida4Marriage.org - the group pushing to place a one-man, one-woman definition of marriage in the state constitution - opted not to hire professionals to gather signatures.
State officials recognized 220,635 certified petitions at the close of business Friday. The deadline is Feb. 1.
"We're in a tough place," acknowledged Florida4Marriage Chairman John Stemberger, adding that the group is close to halfway in gathering the needed signatures. "This is still a doable campaign."
The effort began nearly a year ago but took a back seat among religious conservatives to the Terri Schiavo battle and hurricane relief efforts, Stemberger said.
Political analysts say the 2004 same-sex marriage initiatives helped spike voter turnout among religious conservatives and helped President Bush win battleground states such as Ohio.
Read More....
Voters passed same-sex marriage bans in 12 states in 2004. Barring an avalanche of last-minute petitions, an effort to place a similar measure in the Florida Constitution won't make November's ballot.
The 611,000 petitions needed here amounts to the nation's highest qualification threshold. Also, Florida4Marriage.org - the group pushing to place a one-man, one-woman definition of marriage in the state constitution - opted not to hire professionals to gather signatures.
State officials recognized 220,635 certified petitions at the close of business Friday. The deadline is Feb. 1.
"We're in a tough place," acknowledged Florida4Marriage Chairman John Stemberger, adding that the group is close to halfway in gathering the needed signatures. "This is still a doable campaign."
The effort began nearly a year ago but took a back seat among religious conservatives to the Terri Schiavo battle and hurricane relief efforts, Stemberger said.
Political analysts say the 2004 same-sex marriage initiatives helped spike voter turnout among religious conservatives and helped President Bush win battleground states such as Ohio.
Read More....
