NC Passes Marriage Protection Amendment

On May 8, 2012 North Carolina had the opportunity of joining thirty other states that have adopted Marriage Protection Amendments. The Amendment (deemed "Amendment One") passed by over 61% of the vote (a 22% margin), which was slightly larger than predicted by recent polling.

The amendment reads,

"Constitutional amendment to provide that marriage between one man and one woman is the onl domestic legal union hat shal be valid or recognized by this State."

The full wording of the bill is as follows,

"Article 14 of the North Carolina Constitution is amended by adding the following new section:
Sec. 6. Marriage.
Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State. This section does not prohibit a private party from entering into contrcts with another private party; nor does this section prohibit courts from adjudicating the rights of private parties pursuant to such contracts."

"We are thankful to God and to the people of North Carolina for joining ogether oday to preserve marriage as the union between one man and on woman in our State Constitution," said Tami Fitzgerald, Chariwoman of Vote FOR Marriage NC. "North Carolinians have been waiting for nearly a decade to protect marriage -- a sacred institution authored by God -- from being redefined against the will of the people. The Marriage Protection Amendment ensres that it will always be the people of our state who determine what marriage is i North Carolina not an activist judge or future politicians. Our hearfelt gratitude goes out to the thousands of supporters who rallied behind protecting marriage in our state. Our victory tonight ould not have been possible without their tireless support."