Date not yet finalized for vote on same-sex marriage ban

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri voters will decide this year whether same-sex marriages, which are already prohibited by state law, should be declared unconstitutional as well. When the issue appears on the ballot, however, remains to be determined.

The Missouri Legislature last week cleared a proposed constitutional amendment stating that Missouri will only recognize marriages between one man and one woman. It will automatically go on the Nov. 2 general election ballot unless Gov. Bob Holden exercises his constitutional option to call a special election on the issue. The only earlier election date available under state law would be the Aug. 3 party primaries.

Holden, a Democrat, said he hasn't made a decision on the matter. However, a November election date could give Republicans an advantage in contests for statewide office and legislative seats since the same-sex marriage issue is expected to bolster turnout among conservative voters.

But Republican leaders may be able to lock in a November vote.

While lawmakers went home for the year on Friday, the legislative session doesn't officially end until May 30. During the interim, the House speaker and Senate president pro tem fulfill the ministerial function of certifying bills both chambers have approved before they formally go to the governor for his consideration. If the certification of the marriage amendment doesn't take place until after May 25 -- the deadline for placing something on the August ballot -- a November election is assured.

House Majority Floor Leader Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau and a sponsor of the proposal, said he was unsure when final action would be taken on the measure. Technical sessions for certifying bills have been set for Thursday and May 28.

Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, said the proposal will likely be acted on at the latter date.

Vicky Hartzler, a spokeswoman for the Coalition to Protect Marriage in Missouri, said the issue would best be decided during the general election, which typically attracts a higher level voter interest than the primaries, regardless of what is on the ballot.

"In November, a lot more Missourians would get the opportunity to have a say in this very important matter," Hartzler said.

The marriage coalition, which lobbied for the measure in the legislature, is gearing up to shift its focus to voters. Hartzler, a former state representative from Harrisonville, said the campaign will focus on mobilizing church and community groups to spread the word about the issue.

Allowing legal recognition of same-sex marriages would open the door to all manner of unorthodox domestic relationships and render traditional marriage meaningless, Hartzler said.

"If the basic building block of society is gone, civilization has no strong foundation and begins to crumble," Hartzler said.

Supporters of the measure say it is needed to prevent a Missouri court from declaring in the future that same-sex partners have the constitutional right to marry. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court so ruled last year, and that state began issuing marriage licenses to gay couples on Monday.

Opponents say the issue simply is one of legal discrimination.

Denise Eaker, executive director of Visions of Pride, a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community center in Cape Girardeau, said her organization and others like it will push to get out the vote in the gay community to oppose ratification of the Missouri amendment.

"It will be that kind of activism more than marching up and down the street," Eaker said.

The measure is HJR 39.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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