2012 Maryland Question 6 Explained

Referendum Question 6
Civil Marriage Protection Act
Yes:1373504
No:1246045
Total:2734176
Map:2012 Maryland Question 6 results map by county.svg
Mapdivision:county
Mapcaption:Yes No
Notes:Source: Maryland State Board of Elections - Official Results
Country:Maryland
Date:November 6, 2012

Question 6 (colloquially called the Maryland same-sex marriage referendum) is a referendum that appeared on the general election ballot for the U.S. state of Maryland to allow voters to approve or reject the Civil Marriage Protection Act—a bill legalizing same-sex marriage passed by the General Assembly in 2012. The referendum was approved by 52.4% of voters on November 6, 2012, and thereafter went into effect on January 1, 2013.[1]

Ballot measure

The ballot measure read as follows:[2]

The choices read as follows:

History

See main article: Same-sex marriage in Maryland. The Civil Marriage Protection Act[3] was passed by the Maryland General Assembly in February 2012 and signed on March 1, 2012, by Governor Martin O'Malley. The Maryland House of Delegates approved the bill by a 72–67 vote,[3] [4] and the Maryland Senate approved the bill by a vote of 25–22.[5] [6] Sections 2, 3 and 4 of the bill were included to ensure that religious leaders, religiously controlled institutions, and their programs are legally protected from being required to officiate or provide facilities for a same-sex marriage or couple if they refuse.[7]

Opponents of same-sex marriage announced the launch of the petition drive for the referendum two weeks later.[8] "The General Assembly and the governor do not have the final word on marriage in Maryland," said Derek McCoy, executive director of Maryland Marriage Alliance. "The people do."[8] Petitioners submitted more than twice the number of required signatures to place the referendum on the election ballot,[9] and in June, the State Board of Elections announced that enough were validated.[10]

Support and opposition

Support for Question 6 consisted of a coalition of civil rights leaders, clergy,[11] businesses,[12] partners,[13] and politicians known as Marylanders for Marriage Equality. The opposition to Question 6 consisted of religious figures and politicians known as the Maryland Marriage Alliance.[14]

Governor Martin O'Malley, a Catholic, led the 2012 campaign for same-sex marriage in Maryland.[15] [16] [17] O'Malley said he concluded that "discriminating against individuals based on their sexual orientation in the context of civil marital rights is unjust" and "treating the children of families headed by same-sex couples with lesser protections under the law than the children of families headed by heterosexual parents, is also unjust."[18]

Arguments supporting Question 6 included protecting the children of gay and lesbian couples by affording their parents equal rights under the law,[19] improving quality of life,[20] principles of fairness,[21] civil equality,[22] and highlighting religious protections.[23] Arguments in opposition to Question 6 included protecting children from being taught same-sex marriage in public schools[24] with a focus on "boys can marry boys",[25] [26] [27] [28] preserving parental rights,[29] a traditional definition of marriage as between one man and one woman,[30] and protecting religious beliefs.[31] An official at Gallaudet University, Angela McCaskill, used as an example[32] of religious persecution in a political ad opposing same-sex marriage, opted to have herself removed because it was misleading.[33] McCaskill, who was fired after the university learned that she signed the petition in opposition of Question 6, said she signed solely "because she believed the matter should be voted on."[34] Her personal views on same-sex marriage were unknown.[33] Religious officials, as well as supporters of same-sex marriage rallied for McCaskill and called for her reinstatement, stating that she should not be penalized for her personal views.[35] Several dozen small employers in the state have said that same-sex marriage will be good for business, helping to attract and retain talent.[36]

Fundraising

Advocates for Question 6 raised a total of approximately $4.1 million: contributions from the organizations and individuals under Marylanders for Marriage Equality (78.5%), Human Rights Campaign's National Marriage Fund and Maryland Families PAC (14.2%), NAACP's National Voter Fund for Question 6 (5.8%), Freedom to Marry's Maryland PAC (0.9%), and Maryland for All Families (0.1%).[37] Opponents of Question 6 raised a total of approximately $1.7 million: contributions from the organizations and individuals under Maryland Marriage Alliance,[37] National Organization for Marriage (75%), and the Knights of Columbus (14.7%).[38]

Notable Supporters
Notable Opponents

Opinion polls

Public opinion surveys have reported those in favor of same-sex marriage and those opposed.

Date of opinion pollConducted bySample size
In favorOpposedUndecidedMargin of Error
January 9–15, 2012[39] Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies80849%47%4%±3.5%
January 23–26, 2012[40] The Washington Post1,06450%44%6%±3.5%
March 5–7, 2012[41] Public Policy Polling60052%44%4%±3.5%
March 16–19, 2012[42] OpinionWorks60140%43%16%±4%
May 14–21, 2012[43] [44] Public Policy Polling85257%37%6%±3.5%
July 24–28, 2012[45] [46] Hart Research Associates50454%40%6%±4.5%
September 17–23, 2012[47] Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies81351%43%6%±3.5%
September 25–27, 2012[48] OpinionWorks80449%39%12%±3.5%
October 11–15, 2012[49] The Washington Post84352%43%5%±4%
October 20–23, 2012[50] [51] OpinionWorks80146%47%6%±3.5%
October 21–25, 2012[52] [53] Sarah T. Hughes Field Politics Center
at Goucher College		66755.4%39.2%5.4%±3.79%

Results

On November 6, 2012, the measure was approved by 52.4% of voters.[54] [55] In a statement regarding the election results, Governor Martin O'Malley said "Whether your parents happen to be gay or straight, Democratic, Republican or Independent, your families are equal before the eyes of the law."[56] The leading opposition group said that "No matter how it turns out, there have been thousands of people who are engaged in the process."[56] On November 29, 2012, Attorney General Doug Gansler issued a legal opinion stating that court clerks could begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples once the governor certified the election results on December 6, 2012, though they would not become effective until January 1, 2013.[57] 21 out of the 24 counties in Maryland chose to issue the licenses ahead of schedule.

An exit poll conducted by AP and Edison Research found:[58]

County breakdown

See also

Other same-sex marriage referendums

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: We Won Marriage – Now What? Answers to Your Questions . Equality Maryland . November 8, 2012 . December 4, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130214072307/http://www.equalitymaryland.org/2012/11/8/we-won-marriage-now-wh . February 14, 2013 .
  2. Web site: 2012 General Election Ballot Question Language. elections.state.md.us. Maryland State Board of Elections. August 20, 2012.
  3. Web site: House Bill 438. Civil Marriage Protection Act (2012).. Maryland General Assembly. January 1, 2012.
  4. News: Maryland House Of Delegates Passes Marriage Equality Bill . June 8, 2012 . ThinkProgress . February 17, 2012.
  5. News: Md. gay marriage bill to become law Thursday afternoon, opponents begin referendum effort . The Washington Post . June 8, 2012 . Ricardo . Lopez . March 1, 2012.
  6. News: Hill . David . Maryland senate approves same-sex marriage bill . June 8, 2012 . The Washington Times . February 23, 2012.
  7. News: Volsky . Igor . Maryland's Same-Sex Marriage Bill Includes Most 'Explicit' Religious Conscience Protections . June 8, 2012 . Think Progress . January 25, 2012.
  8. News: Wagner . John . Same-sex marriage opponents in Md. start collecting signatures - Maryland Politics . The Washington Post . March 14, 2012 . January 4, 2013.
  9. News: Linskey. Annie. Same-sex marriage opponents gather twice the signatures needed for referendum. January 4, 2013. The Baltimore Sun. May 29, 2012.
  10. News: Wagner . John . Same-sex marriage headed to ballot in Md. . January 4, 2013 . . June 7, 2012.
  11. Web site: Maryland Faith for Marriage Equality . Marylanders for Marriage Equality . November 12, 2012.
  12. Web site: MD Businesses for Marriage Equality . Marylanders for Marriage Equality . November 12, 2012.
  13. Web site: Partner List . Marylanders for Marriage Equality . November 12, 2012.
  14. Web site: Lavers . Michael K. . Minister describes gays as 'predators"'at Md. rally . Washington Blade . October 22, 2012 . November 11, 2012.
  15. Web site: Maryland Politics: O'Malley raises money for same-sex marriage campaign . Weblogs.baltimoresun.com . September 8, 2011 . November 11, 2012.
  16. News: Linskey. Anne. O'Malley signs same-sex marriage bill. November 11, 2012. The Baltimore Sun. March 1, 2012.
  17. News: AP . Md. Governor Signs Bill Legalizing Gay Marriage . November 11, 2012. ABC News. March 1, 2012.
  18. News: O'Malley, archbishop at odds over same-sex marriage, letters show . Washingtonpost.com . December 21, 2011 . November 11, 2012 . John . Wagner.
  19. Web site: Maryland Politics: O'Malley raises money for same-sex marriage campaign . Baltimore Sun . September 8, 2011 . February 26, 2013.
  20. Web site: John Riley . Gov. O'Malley Signs Marriage Equality Bill, Making Maryland Eighth State (Plus DC) to Do So . Metroweekly.com . February 26, 2013 . January 17, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130117015400/http://www.metroweekly.com/poliglot/2012/03/omalley-signs-marriage-equalit.html . dead .
  21. Web site: Julie Mertus . Gay marriage: A referendum is inappropriate . Baltimore Sun . March 4, 2012 . October 19, 2021.
  22. Web site: Maryland same-sex marriage referendum . Baltimore Sun . October 24, 2012 . February 26, 2013.
  23. Web site: African-American Pastors Rally in Support of Maryland's Question 6: Group says measure is about civil rights, not religion; counters perceptions of African-American clergy opposing marriage equality: News section . Metro Weekly . February 26, 2013.
  24. Web site: Opposition to Question 6 in Overdrive: Marriage-equality opponents, down in polls, employ shock tactics, misinformation campaign . Metro Weekly . October 27, 2012 . February 26, 2013.
  25. Web site: Jean Marbella . Debate over Maryland Question 6 focuses on 'teaching' gay marriage . Baltimore Sun . October 30, 2012 . February 26, 2013.
  26. News: Wagner . John . Ad on school curriculum sparks heated debate in Maryland's gay marriage fight . https://archive.today/20130412033146/http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-10-26/local/35501161_1_marylanders-for-marriage-equality-marriage-debate-gay-marriage . April 12, 2013 . Washington Post . October 26, 2012 . October 19, 2021.
  27. Web site: John Riley . Maryland House Committees Host Joint Marathon Hearing on Marriage Equality - Poliglot . Metroweekly.com . February 10, 2012 . November 11, 2012.
  28. Web site: Marriage in Maryland: Fact Check . ACLU of Maryland . November 11, 2012.
  29. Web site: Maryland Marriage Alliance Commercial Highlights Threats to Parental Rights . Marylandmarriagealliance.org . October 26, 2012 . February 26, 2013 . November 5, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121105150423/https://www.marylandmarriagealliance.org/maryland-marriage-alliance-commercial-highlights-threats-to-parental-rights/ . dead .
  30. Web site: The Threat to Marriage . Marylandmarriagealliance.org . November 6, 2012 . February 26, 2013 . January 16, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130116232534/http://www.marylandmarriagealliance.org/the-threat-to-marriage/ . dead .
  31. Web site: Conneen . Mike . Angela McCaskill featured in new political ad . WJLA.com . October 17, 2012 . February 26, 2013.
  32. Web site: Lavers . Michael K. . Minister describes gays as 'predators"'at Md. rally . Washington Blade . October 22, 2012 . February 26, 2013.
  33. Web site: Maryland gay marriage opponents make false claims . Baltimore Sun . October 17, 2012 . February 26, 2013.
  34. News: Johnson . Jenna . Gallaudet worker: 'Pro-democracy,' not anti-gay . https://web.archive.org/web/20121207204419/http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-10-16/local/35500005_1_marriage-law-gallaudet-president-gay-marriage. December 7, 2012 . Washington Post . October 13, 2012 . February 26, 2013.
  35. Web site: Chibbaro . Lou . Gallaudet reinstates chief diversity officer . Washington Blade . January 8, 2013 . February 26, 2013.
  36. News: Maryland same-sex marriage law good for business, employers say . Baltimore Sun . November 10, 2012 . November 11, 2012 . Mirabella. Lorraine.
  37. Web site: Question 6: Voter's Edge . Votersedge.org . November 5, 2012 . February 24, 2013.
  38. Web site: Brydum . Sunnivie . Maryland Officially Becomes Gay Marry Land . Advocate.com . November 7, 2012 . February 24, 2013.
  39. Web site: Maryland Poll . 2013-12-05.
  40. News: Washington Post . Half of Maryland residents back legalizing same-sex marriage . John . Wagner. January 30, 2012 . June 8, 2012 .
  41. News: The Baltimore Sun . Poll shows slim majority supports gay marriage in Md . Annie . Linskey . March 8, 2012 . June 8, 2012 .
  42. News: Poll shows same-sex referendum faces a divided public . Abc2news.com . 2012-03-28 . 2013-12-05.
  43. Web site: Public Polling Memo re: Maryland Same-Sex Marriage Referendum . Public Policy Polling . June 8, 2012.
  44. News: Chicago Tribune . Clarence . Page . May 27, 2012 . Obama's effect on gay 'rites', Polls show black voters' opinions of same-sex marriage are changing . November 10, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121112164529/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-oped-0527-page-20120527,0,209193.column . November 12, 2012 .
  45. Web site: Results Of Recent Maryland Poll On Marriage Equality . 2012-11-02 . 2012-10-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121001152530/http://marylandersformarriageequality.org/wp-content/uploads/MDfME-Hart-poll-memo.pdf . dead .
  46. News: Linskey, Annie. New poll shows majority support same-sex marriage . Baltimore Sun . 2012-08-02 . 2013-12-05.
  47. Web site: Maryland Poll September 2012 . 2013-12-05.
  48. News: Poll finds support for same-sex marriage, but not gambling . Baltimore Sun . 2012-09-29 . 2013-12-05.
  49. News: Washington Post . Maryland leans toward historic embrace of same-sex marriage in vote next month . John . Wagner . October 18, 2012 . October 18, 2012 .
  50. Web site: Maryland statewide likely voter poll . baltimoresun.com . October 28, 2012 . November 1, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121029190408/http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bal-maryland-statewide-likely-voter-poll-20121028,0,4340314.graphic . October 29, 2012 . dead .
  51. Web site: Linskey . Annie . State voters evenly split on same-sex marriage . baltimoresun.com . October 27, 2012 . November 1, 2012.
  52. Web site: Goucher Poll Results 1 . Pl.scribd.com. October 29, 2012. November 1, 2012.
  53. Web site: Goucher College Poll Shows Broad Support for Maryland Marriage Equality . MetroWeekly . October 31, 2012 . January 7, 2013 . January 7, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130107184909/http://www.metroweekly.com/poliglot/2012/10/goucher-college-poll-shows-broad-support-for-maryl.html . dead .
  54. News: Honan . Edith . Maryland voters approve gay marriage, Maine poised to . Reuters . November 7, 2012. January 4, 2013.
  55. News: Voters approve same-sex marriage for the first time . CNN.com . November 7, 2012. January 4, 2013.
  56. Web site: Linskey, Annie. Maryland approve same-sex marriage law - Baltimore Sun . Baltimore Sun . November 7, 2012 . January 4, 2013.
  57. News: Maryland attorney general issues legal opinion on timing of same-sex marriage licenses . Washington Post . November 29, 2012 . January 4, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121130232924/http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/maryland-attorney-general-issues-legal-opinion-on-timing-of-same-sex-marriage-licenses/2012/11/29/b7300c4c-3a6f-11e2-9258-ac7c78d5c680_story.html . November 30, 2012 .
  58. News: Exit polls: Maryland voters who backed Obama also favored same-sex marriage. November 7, 2012. Associated Press. January 7, 2013.
  59. Web site: Maryland State Board of Elections . Elections.state.md.us . November 9, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121129024326/http://elections.state.md.us/elections/2012/results/general/gen_detail_qresults_2012_4_0006S-.html . November 29, 2012 .

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