Stand4MarriageDC: Let the People Vote on Marriage

Chuck Donovan / January 07, 2010

Yesterday marked the beginning of the final stage of the process that will determine whether the people of the District of Columbia will have an opportunity to vote on same-sex marriage under the city’s Home Rule Charter. Over the past few months, while debate has focused on the content of any religious exemptions from the new law adopted by the City Council in December, the groundwork was being laid for a drive to put the redefinition of traditional marriage on the ballot in the District.

The legal fight has had several layers. Last spring the D.C. City Council voted to recognize in the District any marriages contracted by same-sex couples in other jurisdictions besides D.C., where it was illegal. This included U.S. states where the practice was permitted and nations overseas. Supporters of traditional marriage filed for a referendum under D.C. law that would have allowed voters a fast-track opportunity to disapprove and thereby repeal the new law. That effort failed when the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics ruled that a referendum could not be held on the same-sex marriage recognition law because the D.C. Human Rights Act prohibits the subjecting of its provisions, including the new law, to popular vote. The D.C. Superior Court then upheld the BOEE’s ruling. (more…)