Ehrlich seeks new ban on same-sex marriage. GOP one signature short.

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From the Baltimore Sun:

Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. called on state lawmakers last night to bring a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage before the House of Delegates for a full vote, a move designed to force Democrats to vote on a divisive issue in an election year.

The bill, which would allow Maryland voters to decide on a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, is scheduled for a hearing today by the House Judiciary Committee.

Republicans said they are one petition signature short of the number needed to remove the bill from committee and bring it directly to the House floor, an unusual procedural maneuver.

Ehrlich, who opposes gay marriage, said lawmakers should "protect the institution of marriage in Maryland by expeditiously affirming that marriage is a union between a man and a woman."

If the House and Senate pass the bill, it would go before voters in November.