Decision Day for Amendment 1
As voters head to the polls in North Carolina today, turnout is expected to be high, which leaves opponents of Amendment 1, the constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage and other unions, hopeful for an upset victory despite polling that indicates easy passage of the measure.
Amendment 1 proposes to make marriage between a man and woman the only legally recognized domestic union in the state. Opponents argue that the vague, broad wording of the measure would also ban civil unions, while yielding “unintended consequences” including denial of health insurance for the children of domestic partners and weaker protections for domestic violence survivors who are not married to their abusers.
Based on early voting projections, turnout on Tuesday could exceed 2 million, according to Protect All NC Families, the coalition working to defeat the amendment. More than 506,000 people voted early in this election, compared to 486,000 early voters in 2008, during the historic Democratic primary between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
The coalition feels “very confident” about the results of early voting, according to Nation Hahn, director of online engagement. Their campaign made a strong early voting push on college campuses, where younger voters tend to be more progressive. Overall, the composition of early voters was 46% Democrats, 34% Republicans, and 20% unaffiliated, a group where amendment opponents see opportunities.
http://www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2012/05/08/decision-day-amendment-1
