This week, the California Attorney General’s office announced changes to the title and summary of the proposition. Here’s what voters will read in November:
Proposition 8
Proposition 8
ELIMINATES RIGHT OF SAME-SEX COUPLES TO MARRY.INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
Changes California Constitution to eliminate right of same-sex couples to marry. Provides that only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.Fiscal Impact: Over the next few years, potential revenue loss, mainly sales taxes, totaling in the several tens of millions of dollars, to state and local governments. In the long run, likely little fiscal impact to state and local governments.
Although the changes to the proposed amendment are subject to legal challenge, this summary accurately describes what the proposition will do. Prop. 8 would eliminate a constitutional right guaranteed to same-gender couples and would decrease revenues coming in to the state from marriages between same-gender couples.
Antigay Group Objects to Prop 8's New Language
Supporters of a California ballot measure that would amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage filed a lawsuit against California attorney general Jerry Brown on Monday. According to the Associated Press, Brown's office changed Proposition 8's ballot title and summary to say the measure seeks to "eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry." The original wording had simply defined marriage in California as a union between a man and a woman.
Project Marriage coalition spokeswoman Jennifer Kerns called the new language inherently argumentative and believes it will prejudice voters against the initiative.
Her group intends to file a lawsuit Monday to get the language changed back.
Field Poll: Majority of California Voters Oppose Prop. 8
The majority of California voters oppose Proposition 8, a proposed amendment that would ban same-sex marriage in the state, the Associated Press reported Friday.
According to the AP, the newly released California Field Poll survey found that 51% of voters will likely vote against Prop. 8, while 42% of voters support the proposed amendment. Democrats and Republican voters were starkly split on the issue, with 63% of Democrats indicating they would vote down the measure and 68% of Republicans saying they would vote for it. Independents rejected the ban 66% to 27%. The poll, conducted by Field Research Corp., randomly surveyed 672 likely voters during the week of July 8–14.
The survey shows a change from 2000, when 61% of voters were in favor of Proposition 22, an amendment that supported the state’s 1978 ban on same-sex marriage.
The 1978 ban was overturned in May of this year, making same-sex marriages legal in the state of California. Proposition 8 was constructed in response to the new ruling.
Massachusetts Gay Group Raises $34K to Fight Prop. 8
Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders' summer fund-raiser in Provincetown, Mass., raised $34,000 for the fight against California's Proposition 8, a November ballot initiative that would amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage in the state.
GLAD donor Scott Davenport chipped in $15,000 and urged others to step up to the plate. "When we protected the freedom to marry in Massachusetts, we did so with the help of folks from many other states -- now it’s our turn to help in California," he said according to a press release. The money will be sent to Equality for All, which is working against the proposition.
The July 26 event, featuring celebrity auctioneer Kate Clinton, raised more than $100,000 for GLAD.
Changes California Constitution to eliminate right of same-sex couples to marry. Provides that only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.Fiscal Impact: Over the next few years, potential revenue loss, mainly sales taxes, totaling in the several tens of millions of dollars, to state and local governments. In the long run, likely little fiscal impact to state and local governments.
Although the changes to the proposed amendment are subject to legal challenge, this summary accurately describes what the proposition will do. Prop. 8 would eliminate a constitutional right guaranteed to same-gender couples and would decrease revenues coming in to the state from marriages between same-gender couples.
Antigay Group Objects to Prop 8's New Language
Supporters of a California ballot measure that would amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage filed a lawsuit against California attorney general Jerry Brown on Monday. According to the Associated Press, Brown's office changed Proposition 8's ballot title and summary to say the measure seeks to "eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry." The original wording had simply defined marriage in California as a union between a man and a woman.
Project Marriage coalition spokeswoman Jennifer Kerns called the new language inherently argumentative and believes it will prejudice voters against the initiative.
Her group intends to file a lawsuit Monday to get the language changed back.
Field Poll: Majority of California Voters Oppose Prop. 8
The majority of California voters oppose Proposition 8, a proposed amendment that would ban same-sex marriage in the state, the Associated Press reported Friday.
According to the AP, the newly released California Field Poll survey found that 51% of voters will likely vote against Prop. 8, while 42% of voters support the proposed amendment. Democrats and Republican voters were starkly split on the issue, with 63% of Democrats indicating they would vote down the measure and 68% of Republicans saying they would vote for it. Independents rejected the ban 66% to 27%. The poll, conducted by Field Research Corp., randomly surveyed 672 likely voters during the week of July 8–14.
The survey shows a change from 2000, when 61% of voters were in favor of Proposition 22, an amendment that supported the state’s 1978 ban on same-sex marriage.
The 1978 ban was overturned in May of this year, making same-sex marriages legal in the state of California. Proposition 8 was constructed in response to the new ruling.
Massachusetts Gay Group Raises $34K to Fight Prop. 8
Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders' summer fund-raiser in Provincetown, Mass., raised $34,000 for the fight against California's Proposition 8, a November ballot initiative that would amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage in the state.
GLAD donor Scott Davenport chipped in $15,000 and urged others to step up to the plate. "When we protected the freedom to marry in Massachusetts, we did so with the help of folks from many other states -- now it’s our turn to help in California," he said according to a press release. The money will be sent to Equality for All, which is working against the proposition.
The July 26 event, featuring celebrity auctioneer Kate Clinton, raised more than $100,000 for GLAD.
PG&E Give $250K to Defeat California's Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment
Utility company PG&E announced Tuesday that it would donate $250,000 to the No on Proposition 8 campaign, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Company officials also indicated they would attempt to garner support from other companies to defeat the anti-gay measure by assembling a business advisory council on the matter. Proposition 8 would amend the state's constitution to prohibit marriage between same-sex couples.
"We are thrilled to partner with PG&E," Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California, said in a statement. AT&T and Wells Fargo have donated money directly to Equality California, which is working to defeat Prop 8.
Proponents of the measure have also made major donations. LGBT advocates called for a boycott of Hyatt hotels in San Diego after owner Doug Manchester poured thousands of dollars into the effort to pass the marriage ban.
Allan Hoffenblum, a GOP strategist, told the LA Times that PG&E would likely be unfettered by any organized boycott since they monopolize most of the California market.
"I can't in outrage call PG&E and say, 'Cut off my gas," he said.
Utility company PG&E announced Tuesday that it would donate $250,000 to the No on Proposition 8 campaign, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Company officials also indicated they would attempt to garner support from other companies to defeat the anti-gay measure by assembling a business advisory council on the matter. Proposition 8 would amend the state's constitution to prohibit marriage between same-sex couples.
"We are thrilled to partner with PG&E," Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California, said in a statement. AT&T and Wells Fargo have donated money directly to Equality California, which is working to defeat Prop 8.
Proponents of the measure have also made major donations. LGBT advocates called for a boycott of Hyatt hotels in San Diego after owner Doug Manchester poured thousands of dollars into the effort to pass the marriage ban.
Allan Hoffenblum, a GOP strategist, told the LA Times that PG&E would likely be unfettered by any organized boycott since they monopolize most of the California market.
"I can't in outrage call PG&E and say, 'Cut off my gas," he said.
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