Turnout will be key in marriage battles in California, Florida, and Arizona.

"Expected record turnout among blacks and young voters backing Democrat Barack Obama could cut both ways. Most members of Tampa's African-American Beulah Baptist Institutional Church view gay marriage as 'an abomination to God's word,' minister W. James Favorite says. He rejects equating the struggle for gay rights with the civil rights movement. Opponents hope young people, who a Pew Research Center for the People & the Press poll showed are more tolerant of gay marriage, will help their side.

With only 10 days until election day, Proposition 8's fate is still hard to predict. The polls remain close, with the newest Public Policy Institute of California poll showing 52% opposing the ban with 44% in favor. The opposition is still ahead, but those in favor have risen since the last poll was taken.