The New Hampshire House has rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have banned same-sex marriage in the state:
"CACR 28 defined marriage in this state by saying it can only be between a man and a woman.
It was rejected by a wide margin, 201-135, short of a simple majority and far below the three-fifths majority — 238 votes — it needed to advance to the Senate.
Sponsors tried to delay a vote on the bill until March 17, so local voters could weigh in on petitions at town meeting that ask for a popular vote on the amendment.
"All we're trying to do here is put this on the ballot," Rep. David Bates, R-Windham, arguing voters should have their say. His effort to delay a vote fell short on a 191-148 vote."
The House also rejected another bill, HB 1590, by a vote of 210-109. It would have repealed the state's marriage equality law.