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LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Supporters of a ban on gay marriage submitted nearly 500,000 signatures Monday in an effort to get a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot.
If adopted, the amendment would define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Gay marriage is banned in Michigan, but opponents want stronger language to protect against potential future judicial decisions or legislative initiatives.
The group, Citizens for the Protection of Marriage, had submitted more than 475,000 signatures to state election officials. If 317,757 of the signatures are valid, the issue could be on the Nov. 2 ballot.
"The people responded," said Marlene Elwell, the group's president. "They're tired of politicians and activist judges making changes without having a voice. This gives them a voice."
Representatives of a group opposed to the initiative, Coalition for a Fair Michigan, said Monday they would consider legal action to try and keep the proposal off the ballot.
Opponents said the measure would end domestic partner benefits at public institutions such as the city of Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan and Michigan State University.
Symbolic weddings were performed in Ferndale and Lansing in June after the nation's first legal gay weddings were performed in Massachusetts in May. | 
