Politics & Government
Video: Several Lawmakers Join Lawsuit to Stop Marriage Amendment Title Change
Senator Warren Limmer (R-Maple Grove): "I'm saddened to see that Secretary of State Richie and Attorney General Swanson has taken it upon themselves, not only to get involved, but now to physically rewrite legislation that the legislature passed."
At the end of June, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie announced the title that will introduce the same-sex marriage amendment on the November ballot.
He chose the words, "Limiting the status of marriage to opposite sex couples."
According to the Star Tribune, amendment supporters wanted the title, "Recognition of marriage solely between one man and one woman."
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Several legislators including, Senate Judiciary Chair Warren Limmer (R-Maple Grove), reportedly announced a lawsuit to stop the title change for the proposed marriage constitutional amendment during a July 9 press conference. Watch the video for Limmer’s statement. Patch has not yet received a copy of the reported lawsuit.
Several lawmakers joined with the pro-amendment group, Minnesota for Marriage, in filing a petition with the Minnesota Supreme Court on Monday, according to a report by Minnesota Public Radio. Both are asking for original title to appear on the ballot to be restored.
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The proposed constitutional amendment will be before the voters in the 2012 general election.
The title, as passed by the Minnesota Legislature, is called "Recognition of marriage solely between one man and one woman." The lawsuit is against the actions by Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and Attorney General Lori Swanson for changing the title to, "Limiting the status of marriage to opposite sex couples,” according to a release by Minnesota Senate Media.
, out of 766 responses, 78 percent said “yes” to the question “Do you think the language above a ballot question can affect the outcome of the vote?”
To the question, “What should be the title above the marriage amendment on the November ballot?” – the voting by was a bit closer. Out of 785 responses, 55 percent said the title above the marriage amendment on the November ballot should be "Limiting the status of marriage to opposite sex couples." While 44 percent said the title should be "Recognition of marriage solely between one man and one woman."
Editor's note: Do you think a lawsuit should be filed? Share your opinion in comments.
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