After several hours of debate, the Minnesota Senate has approved a ballot initiative to allow voters to constitutionally ban same-sex marriage, the AP reports:
The amendment approved 38-27 Wednesday sets the vote on whether to define marriage as between one man and one woman. That definition already exists in Minnesota statute, but supporters of the traditional definition of marriage say the extra protection is needed to guard against judicial rulings.
Critics of the amendment say it would enshrine discrimination in the state's most important document and that it's a distraction from more important issues facing the state.
Sen. Leroy Stumpf of Plummer was the only Democrat who voted yes. All Senate Republicans voted yes.
Passage is expected in the House. Governor Mark Dayton opposes it but is unable to block constitutional amendments.
