A look at three other states with same-sex marriage on ballot

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Minnesota is not the only state where voters will decide a measure next month related to same-sex marriage. Three other states have measures on the ballot: Maine, Maryland and Washington state.
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With less than two weeks to go before from Election Day, polls suggest the vote for the marriage amendment in Minnesota will be close. But Minnesota is not the only state where voters will have a ballot measure next month related to same-sex marriage. Three other states have measures on the ballot: Maine, Maryland and Washington state.

On Thursday, President Barack Obama threw his support behind those three measures, which would legalize same sex marriage in those states. On The Daily Circuit Friday, we'll look at what is happening in the other three states and how the question is polling among voters.

In Minnesota, the measure is one of two statewide amendment proposals on the ballot. It would ask voters if they want to add to the state's constitution a definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman. Same-sex marriage is currently not allowed under state law, but if the amendment passes, that ban would be cemented in the state's constitution.

Ballot questions in the states will read as following:

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MAINE

"Do you want to allow the state of Maine to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples?"

Yes

No

MARYLAND

Referendum Petition

Civil Marriage Protection Act (Ch. 2 of the 2012 Legislative Session)

Establishes that Maryland's civil marriage laws allow gay and lesbian couples to obtain a civil marriage license, provided they are not otherwise prohibited from marrying; protects clergy from having to perform any particular marriage ceremony in violation of their religious beliefs; affirms that each religious faith has exclusive control over its own theological doctrine regarding who may marry within that faith; and provides that religious organizations and certain related entities are not required to provide goods, services, or benefits to an individual related to the celebration or promotion of marriage in violation of their religious beliefs.

For the Referred Law

Against the Referred Law

WASHINGTON

The legislature passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6239 concerning marriage for same-sex couples, modified domestic-partnership law, and religious freedom, and voters have filed a sufficient referendum petition on this bill.

This bill would allow same-sex couples to marry, preserve domestic partnerships only for seniors, and preserve the right of clergy or religious organizations to refuse to perform, recognize, or accommodate any marriage ceremony.

Should this bill be:

Approved

Rejected

BLOG: How Minnesotans talk about marriage