Until last night, marriage equality had never been approved in America as a statewide ballot measure. It had only ever been put into place by a state legislature or court ruling. But then came last night, when voters in three states (Maine, Maryland, and Washington State*) OK’d proposals to legalize marriage for same-sex couples, and voters in a fourth state (Minnesota) rejected a proposal to ban it. In effect, Americans voted “no” on two separate questions. These measures partly concerned the separation of church and state, asking voters, “should the government endorse a specific religious view on marriage?” But they also hit on more deep-seated values such as fairness and equality, asking voters, “should the government treat certain Americans differently?” Last night, at least in regards to marriage, Americans answered both of those questions…
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