JURIST - Paper Chase: Massachusetts lawmakers set to support same-sex marriage against attempted ban

[JURIST] Over 100 Massachusetts lawmakers plan to vote against a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage in the state and create civil unions, according to an AP poll. The survey conducted between September 6-9 found 104 lawmakers who plan to vote against the proposed amendment, scheduled for a vote Wednesday. Same-sex marriage [JURIST news archive] has been legal in Massachusetts since a 2004 Supreme Judicial Court ruling [opinion text], but the proposed amendment to overturn the decision was passed last year 105-92. To get on the 2006 ballot, the amendment must pass a second legislative vote with the support of 101 out of the 200 lawmakers. Some lawmakers who had voted for the amendment previously said they would vote against it the second time either out of support for same-sex marriage or opposition to civil unions. AP has more.

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