OMG What is Amendment 1?

[popcentury70]

Here in my state... I keep seeing these signs saying to vote yes or no for amendment one. What is it?!?!

Sorry, but I didn't memorize the amendments as a child. Who did they think I was, Hertz?

 

[dmslush]

It is an Amendment to your state constitution. What state do you live in?

 

[popcentury70]

SC... it is something about marriage. I know that much.

 

[Tenten]

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
— The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

 

[MosMom]

Constitutional Amendment 1 - Marriage

SUMMARY

This amendment provides that the institution of marriage in South Carolina consists only of the union between one man and one woman. No other domestic union is valid and legal. The State and its political subdivisions are prohibited from creating or recognizing any right or claim respecting any other domestic union, whatever it may be called, or from giving effect to any such right or benefit recognized in any other state or jurisdiction.

However, this amendment also makes clear it does not impair rights or benefits extended by this State, or its political subdivisions not arising from other domestic unions, nor does the amendment prohibit private parties from entering into contracts or other legal instruments.

 

[Tenten]

D'oh! I'm such a ducking fumbarse sometimes. Thanks for posting the correct one.

 

[disneymom3]

tenten--I don't think that helps in this case.

If it's about marriage on a state level my bet is that it is a marriage definition amendment.

 

[Tenten]

Oh, I know. I didn't pay attention when she said it was in her state, I just thought she meant for the whole U.S.

 

[popcentury70]

...AHEM! he.

 

[Tenten]

Oof, sorry! I'm such a geek...

 

[N.Bailey]

Wow, it sounds like the wording is a bit funny. What's a yes vote and what's a no vote? Is yes to get rid of the 1st amendment, or yes to support it? Is a no vote meaning, no you don't want to change it, or no you don't want to keep it?

 

[thegales]

MosMom provided the official summary. The actual question is:

Must Article XVII of the Constitution of this State be amended by adding Section 15 so as to provide that in this State and its political subdivisions, a marriage between one man and one woman is the only lawful domestic union that shall be valid or recognized; that this State and its political subdivisions shall not create, recognize, or give effect to a legal status, right, or claim created by another jurisdiction respecting any other domestic union, however denominated; that this amendment shall not impair any right or benefit extended by the State or its political subdivisions other than a right or benefit arising from a domestic union that is not valid or recognized in this State; and that this amendment shall not prohibit or limit the ability of parties other than the State or its political subdivisions from entering into contracts or other legal instruments?
Yes [ ]
No [ ]

From an Editorial

On Nov. 7, voters will have the opportunity to vote "yes" to a constitutional amendment which will define marriage as exclusively between a man and a woman, or "no," leaving traditional marriage at the mercy of the judicial system.

And finally:
Amendment supporters: http://www.realmarriage.info/

Amendment opponents: http://www.dumbamendment.com/

 

[N.Bailey]

Thanks thegales. That explains it all!

I'm glad to see that it's in each state's hands. That's exactly where it should be, IMO.