Idaho Marriage Amendment, H.J.R. 2 (2006)

Voting on Marriage and Family
Ballot Measures
By state
By year
Not on ballot

Idaho House Joint Resolution 2, also known as the Marriage Amendment, was on the November 7, 2006 election ballot in Idaho as a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment, where it was approved.

HJR 2 amended Section 28 of Article III of the Idaho Constitution to provide that "a marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized" in Idaho.

Election results

House Joint Resolution 2 (the Marriage Amendment)
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		282,386	63.4%
No		163,384	36.6%

Ballot language

Idaho Constitution
Articles
Preamble • I • II • III • IV • V • VI • VII • VIII • IX • X • XI • XII • XIII • XIV • XV • XVI • XVII • XVIII • XIX • XX • XXI

The language that appeared on the ballot:

Ballot question

	"Shall Article III, of the Constitution of the State of Idaho be amended by the addition of a new Section 28, to provide that a marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state?"

Meaning and Purpose

	Statement of Meaning and Purpose The proposed amendment would add a new Section 28 to Article III of the Constitution of the State of Idaho, stating that a marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in the state of Idaho.

Effect of Adoption

Effect of Adoption If adopted, the proposed amendment would add language to the Constitution of the State of Idaho to provide that a marriage is only between a man and a woman. The language prohibits recognition by the state of Idaho and its political subdivisions of civil unions, domestic partnerships, or any other relationship that attempts to approximate marriage. The language further prohibits the state and its political subdivisions from granting any or all of the legal benefits of marriage to civil unions, domestic partnerships, or any other relationship that attempts to approximate marriage.

Support

Arguments in favor

The Idaho Legislative Services Office is tasked with providing an overview of arguments for and against proposed constitutional amendments. These arguments are printed in the state's official voter guide.

As arguments in favor of the marriage amendment, the Legislative Services Office wrote:

1. Same gender marriages are not currently allowed under Idaho statutes, and this amendment provides for the same prohibition at the state constitutional level to ensure that Idaho state courts do not allow or require the recognition of same gender marriages. 2. This amendment would prevent Idaho state courts from recognizing same gender marriages that are legally allowed in other states or other countries. 3. Because marriage is a public institution with special importance to society, the state of Idaho has a legitimate interest in establishing the marriage policy for its citizens. 4. This amendment does not prevent private industry from extending certain benefits to its employees nor does it limit a person's right to name medical and financial agents or to enter into contractual agreements. 5. This amendment does not deny any existing rights under Idaho law, but Idaho's current marriage laws could be weakened in the future without this amendment.

Donors

$27,104 was donated to the "yes" side of the vote through three different campaign committees.

Donor	Amount
United Families Idaho Action Fund	$14,469
Iva Action Fund	$9,385
Marriage Protection Alliance, Inc.	$3,250

Opposition

Arguments against

The Idaho Legislative Services Office is tasked with providing an overview of arguments for and against proposed constitutional amendments. These arguments are printed in the state's official voter guide.

As arguments opposing the marriage amendment, the Legislative Services Office wrote:

1. This amendment is not needed since Idaho Code already limits the right to marry to one man and one woman and does not recognize out-of-state marriages that are in conflict with Idaho public policy. 2. This amendment uses the term "domestic legal union," which is not defined and will likely result in costly and lengthy litigation. 3. Because this amendment is broadly drafted, it could be construed to prohibit domestic partners of private-sector employees who receive health and other benefits from access to Idaho courts to enforce such benefits. 4. This amendment could in the future deny same gender couples in committed relationships the protections and benefits available to married couples, such as access to spousal Social Security benefits upon a partner's death, automatic "next of kin" emergency medical decisions and "family member" hospital visitation rights. 5. Just as the United States Constitution's Equal Protection Clause guarantees equal treatment under the law for all persons, Idaho's Constitution is designed to protect liberties and should not be amended to exclude certain people from legal protections.

Donors

$106,378 was contributed to the campaign in favor of a "no" vote on the marriage amendment.

Donors of $10,000 or more were:

Donor	Amount
Gill Action Fund	$15,000
Western States Center	$10,000
Bruce Bastian	$10,000

See also

• Idaho 2006 ballot measures
• Idaho State Senate
• 2006 ballot measures
• List of Idaho ballot measures
• Idaho House of Representatives
• Marriage and family on the ballot

Suggest a link

External links

• "Follow The Money" Report on Spending For and Against Idaho Amendment 2
• Text of House Joint Resolution 2
• Text of Idaho Amendment 2
• 2006 Idaho Ballot Measures
• 2006 Idaho Election Results