In Nevada, voters on Nov. 3 approved a state constitutional amendment that recognizes marriage as between couples, regardless of gender. The vote makes Nevada the first state in the nation to protect same-sex marriage in its constitution.
The “Marriage Regardless of Gender Amendment” repeals a 2002 Nevada amendment which defined marriage as between a male person and a female person, according to Ballotpedia.
30 states with constitutional protection
As of November 2020, Nevada was one of 30 states with this type of constitutional amendment. Between 2015 and 2020, none of the 30 states had referred ballot measures asking voters to repeal their constitutional amendments, Ballotpedia reports.
Opponents of the bill said it was unnecessary, since same-sex unions are legal nationwide as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 Obergefell decision.
But supporters of the amendment praised the vote, saying that if the Supreme Court ever reverses its decision on gay marriage, Nevada will protect marriages in the state.
The recently passed Nevada measure also states that religious organizations and clergypersons have the right to refuse to solemnize a marriage.
(Read about Nevada’s marriage votes in 2000 and 2002 here.)
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