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2012 Maryland Question 6

Referendum on same-sex marriage

2012 Maryland Question 6
Summary

Referendum on same-sex marriage

FieldValue
nameReferendum Question 6
titleCivil Marriage Protection Act
yes1373504
no1246045
total2734176
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mapdivisioncounty
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notesSource: Maryland State Board of Elections - Official Results
countryMarylanddate=November 6, 2012

|[[File:2012 Maryland Question 6 results map by county.svg|300px]] |County results |[[File:2012 Maryland Question 6 results map by congressional district.svg|300px]] |Congressional district results |[[File:2012 Maryland Question 6 results by precinct.svg|300px]] |Precinct results Yes No 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.

Ballot measure

The ballot measure read as follows:

The choices read as follows:

History

Main article: Same-sex marriage in Maryland

The Civil Marriage Protection Act 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, and the Maryland Senate approved the bill by a vote of 25–22. 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.

Opponents of same-sex marriage announced the launch of the petition drive for the referendum two weeks later. "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." Petitioners submitted more than twice the number of required signatures to place the referendum on the election ballot, and in June, the State Board of Elections announced that enough were validated.

Support and opposition

Campaign signs]] outside of a [[polling place]] in [[Towson, Maryland]]. November 2012.

Support for Question 6 consisted of a coalition of civil rights leaders, clergy, businesses, partners, and politicians known as Marylanders for Marriage Equality.

Governor Martin O'Malley, a Catholic, led the 2012 campaign for same-sex marriage in Maryland. 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."

Arguments supporting Question 6 included protecting the children of gay and lesbian couples by affording their parents equal rights under the law, improving quality of life, principles of fairness, civil equality, and highlighting religious protections. Arguments in opposition to Question 6 included protecting children from being taught same-sex marriage in public schools with a focus on "boys can marry boys", preserving parental rights, a traditional definition of marriage as between one man and one woman, and protecting religious beliefs. An official at Gallaudet University, Angela McCaskill, used as an example of religious persecution in a political ad opposing same-sex marriage, opted to have herself removed because it was misleading. 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." Her personal views on same-sex marriage were unknown. 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. Several dozen small employers in the state have said that same-sex marriage will be good for business, helping to attract and retain talent.

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%). Opponents of Question 6 raised a total of approximately $1.7 million: contributions from the organizations and individuals under Maryland Marriage Alliance, National Organization for Marriage (75%), and the Knights of Columbus (14.7%).

**Notable Supporters **

  • President Barack Obama
  • Former President Bill Clinton
  • Former Vice President Dick Cheney
  • Terry McAuliffe, former chairman of the DNC
  • Ken Mehlman, former chairman of the RNC
  • Julian Bond, former chairman of the NAACP, civil rights activist
  • Al Sharpton, civil rights activist
  • Delman Coates of Mount Ennon Baptist Church
  • Donte Hickman Sr. of Southern Baptist Church
  • Brendon Ayanbadejo, linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens
  • 1119SEIU
  • AFL–CIO
  • Equality Maryland
  • Human Rights Campaign
  • ACLU of Maryland
  • Maryland State Education Association
  • NAACP of Baltimore
  • PayPal
  • Calvert Investments
  • Nike, Inc.
  • Nordstrom

**Notable Opponents **

  • Edwin Frederick O'Brien, former Archbishop of Baltimore
  • Derek McCoy of Maryland Marriage Alliance
  • Tony Perkins of Family Research Council
  • Harry R. Jackson, Jr. of Hope Christian Church
  • Brian Brown of National Organization for Marriage
  • Delegate Don Dwyer
  • Delegate Emmett C. Burns, Jr.

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, 2012Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies80849%47%4%±3.5%
January 23–26, 2012The Washington Post1,06450%44%6%±3.5%
March 5–7, 2012Public Policy Polling60052%44%4%±3.5%
March 16–19, 2012OpinionWorks60140%43%16%±4%
May 14–21, 2012Public Policy Polling85257%37%6%±3.5%
July 24–28, 2012Hart Research Associates50454%40%6%±4.5%
September 17–23, 2012Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies81351%43%6%±3.5%
September 25–27, 2012OpinionWorks80449%39%12%±3.5%
October 11–15, 2012The Washington Post84352%43%5%±4%
October 20–23, 2012OpinionWorks80146%47%6%±3.5%
October 21–25, 2012Sarah T. Hughes Field Politics Center
at Goucher College66755.4%39.2%5.4%±3.79%

Results

On November 6, 2012, the measure was approved by 52.4% of voters. 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." The leading opposition group said that "No matter how it turns out, there have been thousands of people who are engaged in the process." 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. 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:

  • 7 in 10 young voters, age 29 and under, voted in favor of same-sex marriage.
  • Almost 6 in 10 of those age 30 to 44 voted in favor of same-sex marriage.
  • Nearly two-thirds of women with children voted in favor of same sex marriage.
  • Those over age 45 slightly voted against same-sex marriage.
  • Nearly two-thirds of those age 65 and older voted against same-sex marriage.

County breakdown

CountyYesVotesNoVotes
Montgomery65.8%289,62534.2%150,498
Howard59.2%88,76840.8%61,139
Baltimore City57.2% 138,00742.8%103,294
Anne Arundel52.4%133,05347.6%120,883
Baltimore County51.7%194,15048.3%181,162
Frederick51%58,34949%55,952
Prince George's49.6%183,25750.4%186,296
Kent49.1%4,68550.9%4,856
Talbot48.2%9,56751.8%10,290
Calvert45.8%20,20554.2%23,944
Charles45.6%33,33454.4%39,792
Harford44.5%55,05755.5%68,785
Cecil44.3%18,27955.7%22,993
Queen Anne's44.2%10,78855.8%13,609
Saint Mary's44.2%20,60655.8%25,971
Carroll43.8%37,63156.2%48,253
Worcester42.2%11,09657.8%15,212
Wicomico39.8%16,10760.2%24,405
Washington38.8%23,58561.2%37,246
Dorchester38.7%5,64561.3%8,943
Caroline37%4,78563%8,139
Somerset35.7%3,46764.3%6,244
Allegany34.5%9,96565.5%18,927
Garrett27.5%3,49372.5%9,212

References

References

  1. (November 8, 2012). "We Won Marriage – Now What? Answers to Your Questions". Equality Maryland.
  2. "2012 General Election Ballot Question Language". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  3. "House Bill 438. Civil Marriage Protection Act (2012).". Maryland General Assembly.
  4. (February 17, 2012). "Maryland House Of Delegates Passes Marriage Equality Bill". ThinkProgress.
  5. Lopez, Ricardo. (March 1, 2012). "Md. gay marriage bill to become law Thursday afternoon, opponents begin referendum effort". The Washington Post.
  6. Hill, David. (February 23, 2012). "Maryland senate approves same-sex marriage bill". The Washington Times.
  7. Volsky, Igor. (January 25, 2012). "Maryland's Same-Sex Marriage Bill Includes Most 'Explicit' Religious Conscience Protections". Think Progress.
  8. Wagner, John. (March 14, 2012). "Same-sex marriage opponents in Md. start collecting signatures - Maryland Politics". The Washington Post.
  9. Linskey, Annie. (May 29, 2012). "Same-sex marriage opponents gather twice the signatures needed for referendum". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
  10. Wagner, John. (June 7, 2012). "Same-sex marriage headed to ballot in Md.". [[The Washington Post]].
  11. "Maryland Faith for Marriage Equality". Marylanders for Marriage Equality.
  12. "MD Businesses for Marriage Equality". Marylanders for Marriage Equality.
  13. "Partner List". Marylanders for Marriage Equality.
  14. Lavers, Michael K.. (October 22, 2012). "Minister describes gays as 'predators"'at Md. rally". Washington Blade.
  15. (September 8, 2011). "Maryland Politics: O'Malley raises money for same-sex marriage campaign". Weblogs.baltimoresun.com.
  16. Linskey, Anne. (March 1, 2012). "O'Malley signs same-sex marriage bill". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
  17. (March 1, 2012). "Md. Governor Signs Bill Legalizing Gay Marriage". [[ABC News (United States).
  18. Wagner, John. (December 21, 2011). "O'Malley, archbishop at odds over same-sex marriage, letters show". Washingtonpost.com.
  19. (September 8, 2011). "Maryland Politics: O'Malley raises money for same-sex marriage campaign". Baltimore Sun.
  20. John Riley. "Gov. O'Malley Signs Marriage Equality Bill, Making Maryland Eighth State (Plus DC) to Do So". Metroweekly.com.
  21. Julie Mertus. (March 4, 2012). "Gay marriage: A referendum is inappropriate". Baltimore Sun.
  22. (October 24, 2012). "Maryland same-sex marriage referendum". Baltimore Sun.
  23. "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.
  24. (October 27, 2012). "Opposition to Question 6 in Overdrive: Marriage-equality opponents, down in polls, employ shock tactics, misinformation campaign". Metro Weekly.
  25. Jean Marbella. (October 30, 2012). "Debate over Maryland Question 6 focuses on 'teaching' gay marriage". Baltimore Sun.
  26. Wagner, John. (October 26, 2012). "Ad on school curriculum sparks heated debate in Maryland's gay marriage fight". Washington Post.
  27. John Riley. (February 10, 2012). "Maryland House Committees Host Joint Marathon Hearing on Marriage Equality - Poliglot". Metroweekly.com.
  28. "Marriage in Maryland: Fact Check". ACLU of Maryland.
  29. (October 26, 2012). "Maryland Marriage Alliance Commercial Highlights Threats to Parental Rights". Marylandmarriagealliance.org.
  30. (November 6, 2012). "The Threat to Marriage". Marylandmarriagealliance.org.
  31. Conneen, Mike. (October 17, 2012). "Angela McCaskill featured in new political ad". WJLA.com.
  32. Lavers, Michael K.. (October 22, 2012). "Minister describes gays as 'predators"'at Md. rally". Washington Blade.
  33. (October 17, 2012). "Maryland gay marriage opponents make false claims". Baltimore Sun.
  34. Johnson, Jenna. (October 13, 2012). "Gallaudet worker: 'Pro-democracy,' not anti-gay". Washington Post.
  35. Chibbaro, Lou. (January 8, 2013). "Gallaudet reinstates chief diversity officer". Washington Blade.
  36. Mirabella, Lorraine. (November 10, 2012). "Maryland same-sex marriage law good for business, employers say". Baltimore Sun.
  37. (November 5, 2012). "Question 6: Voter's Edge". Votersedge.org.
  38. Brydum, Sunnivie. (November 7, 2012). "Maryland Officially Becomes Gay Marry Land". Advocate.com.
  39. (October 25, 2012). "President Obama Embraces Marriage Equality in Maine, Maryland, Washington and Minnesota". GLAAD.
  40. Annie Linskey. (February 17, 2012). "Maryland lawmakers under national pressure on marriage bill". Baltimore Sun.
  41. Bolcer, Julie. (October 9, 2012). "Maryland NAACP Releases Radio Ad for Marriage Equality". Advocate.com.
  42. Harris, Hamil R.. (September 22, 2012). "Prominent black clergy support Maryland same-sex marriage". The Washington Post.
  43. "It's About Fairness: Rev. Delman Coates for Question 6". YouTube.
  44. Grass, Michael. (November 10, 2012). "Maryland Question 6 Advocates' Alliance With 2 Baptist Pastors Helped Build Broad Support". Huffingtonpost.com.
  45. (November 7, 2012). "Ravens' Brendon Ayanbadejo thrilled gay marriage approved in Maryland". USAToday.com.
  46. "1199 MD/DC Stands with Labor to Support Marriage Equality in Maryland". 1199seiu.org United Healthcare Workers East.
  47. "Maryland Charts New Path for Marriage Equality in U.S.". MarylandersforMarriageEquality.org.
  48. State affiliate of the [[National Education Association]]
  49. (September 18, 2012). "NAACP leader backs Maryland marriage equality". The Raw Story.
  50. (November 5, 2012). "Business Support Grows For Marriage Equality in Maryland". Hrc.org.
  51. "Don Dwyer calls himself "the face of the opposition" to same-sex marriage". The Baltimore Sun.
  52. "Maryland's Don Dwyer Claims Gay Marriage Supporters Have Perjured Themselves". On Top Magazine.
  53. Greenberg, Chris. (September 7, 2012). "Brendon Ayanbadejo Supports Gay Marriage: Emmett C Burns Jr. Sends Complaint Letter To Ravens". Huffingtonpost.com.
  54. [http://big.assets.huffingtonpost.com/Emmett-Burns-letter-over-Brendon-Ayanbadejo.pdf Delegate Burns' Official Complaint Letter to Ravens Head Coach about NFL Player's Endorsement of Same-sex Marriage in Maryland] Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
  55. (January 26, 2010). "MD Delegate Emmett Burns on Out-Of-State Marriage Equality Recognition". YouTube.
  56. "Maryland Poll".
  57. Wagner, John. (January 30, 2012). "Half of Maryland residents back legalizing same-sex marriage". Washington Post.
  58. Linskey, Annie. (March 8, 2012). "Poll shows slim majority supports gay marriage in Md". The Baltimore Sun.
  59. (2012-03-28). "Poll shows same-sex referendum faces a divided public". Abc2news.com.
  60. "Public Polling Memo re: Maryland Same-Sex Marriage Referendum". Public Policy Polling.
  61. Page, Clarence. (May 27, 2012). "Obama's effect on gay 'rites', Polls show black voters' opinions of same-sex marriage are changing". Chicago Tribune.
  62. "Results Of Recent Maryland Poll On Marriage Equality".
  63. Linskey, Annie. (2012-08-02). "New poll shows majority support same-sex marriage". Baltimore Sun.
  64. "Maryland Poll September 2012".
  65. (2012-09-29). "Poll finds support for same-sex marriage, but not gambling". Baltimore Sun.
  66. Wagner, John. (October 18, 2012). "Maryland leans toward historic embrace of same-sex marriage in vote next month". Washington Post.
  67. (October 28, 2012). "Maryland statewide likely voter poll". baltimoresun.com.
  68. Linskey, Annie. (October 27, 2012). "State voters evenly split on same-sex marriage". baltimoresun.com.
  69. (October 29, 2012). "Goucher Poll Results 1". Pl.scribd.com.
  70. (October 31, 2012). "Goucher College Poll Shows Broad Support for Maryland Marriage Equality". MetroWeekly.
  71. Honan, Edith. (November 7, 2012). "Maryland voters approve gay marriage, Maine poised to". Reuters.
  72. (November 7, 2012). "Voters approve same-sex marriage for the first time". CNN.com.
  73. Linskey, Annie. (November 7, 2012). "Maryland approve same-sex marriage law - Baltimore Sun". Baltimore Sun.
  74. (November 29, 2012). "Maryland attorney general issues legal opinion on timing of same-sex marriage licenses". Washington Post.
  75. (November 7, 2012). "Exit polls: Maryland voters who backed Obama also favored same-sex marriage".
  76. "Maryland State Board of Elections". Elections.state.md.us.
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