A GOP proposal to ban same-sex marriage in North Carolina cleared its first major hurdle Monday when the House voted 75-42 to let voters decide.

The measure now goes for debated to the N.C. Senate, where it must also receive three-fifths votes.

If approved, voters would decide whether to amend the N.C. Constitution to define marriage as being between one man and one woman. It would join a host of other states that have already passed similar amendments.

GOP supporters decided to put the question on the May primary ballot next year rather than the November 2012 general election ballot, ensuring the proposal would win support from enough Democrats to clear the House, where 72 total voted are needed for a proposed constitutional changes.

Democrats had accused the GOP of wanting to use the issue to boost turnout from social conservatives in the 2012 presidential race. In the end, 10 Democrats and 65 Republicans voted for the amendment.

But the May vote also makes it more likely that the amendment will win overwhelming approval, said one Democrat who opposed it, because Republicans will be drawn to the polls in larger numbers by the GOP presidential primary, according to a CharlotteObserver.com.

It is unclear whether the proposal has enough support to clear the Senate.

Got news to share with Qcity readers? Email us at editor@qcitymetro.com.
Sign up for our weekly email newsletter below

Sign up for our Weekly Email Newsletter Email: For Email Marketing you can trust

Other Ways to Share Twitter Del.icio.us MySpace

Discussions and Submission Agreement