I am thrilled to congratulate our LGBT brothers and sisters for what looks to be an enormous victory for marriage equality. This issue was on the ballot in four states; Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington.
Three of the votes were ballot measures that would legalize marriage equality. While in Minnesota, voters were asked to approve or disapprove of a constitutional amendment which would have banned same-sex marriage.
Marriage equality has been put to a popular vote 32 times. Sadly, the voting record on this issue has been dismal. Marriage equality lost every one of these contests. So proponents of marriage equality were cautiously optimistic about these 4 ballot measures.
Lets look at the results of these elections below the squiggle.
The state of Maine became the first state to pass a ballot measure in support of marriage equality. The measure passed 54 - 46, clearly demonstrating strong support for LGBT rights by the citizens of the Pine Tree State.
Maryland passed its own ballot measure by a vote of 52 - 48.
In Minnesota, the electorate voted down a constitutional amendment which would have a cadded language to Minnesota's Constitution stating that marriage is defined by the marriage of one man with one woman. This measure lost 51 - 48.
In the state of Washington, voters have voted for marriage equality 51 - 48, but because Washington only allows voting by mail, this result is not final. It may be a week before we get the final vote tally on this measure. However, it is a very a very hopeful sign that it is four points ahead with over 50% of the vote counted.
Yesterday, we witnessed the power of the LBGT Rights movement. To win in all these states is a huge accomplishment that required enormous effort on the part of organizers and activists.
It is a watershed moment that demonstrates a large number of Americans are supportive of marriage equality. This will clearly help to change the narrative, while providing more evidence that marriage equality strengthens families and the institution of marriage itself.
Update: Congratulations to Senator Tammy Baldwin!!!
Her victory is a tribute to her political skills, but it also reflects very positively on the voters of Wisconsin. Hopefully, she is the first of many openly gay candidates elected to the US Senate.