Gay Marriage Issue Could Be Back On the 2012 Ballot | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Fresno, CA Charlotte Jenks of Fresno is a proud grandmother of three. She's also happily married to another woman. Equality California's call to get another same sex measure on the ballot in 2012 instead of 2010 is drawing mixed feelings. Jenks said, "For myself I'm torn. The intellectual part of me says, good that'll give us time to straighten out and answer all the misinformation. The emotional part of me says, no don't wait. Let's do it now because there's so many people who want to get married."

Fresno is one of nine cities where Equality California has opened new offices. Regional Field Manager Scotti Maldonado said by waiting until 2012 the campaign will be able to draw upon younger voters. He explained, "Older voters turn out in a gubernatorial election, which would be 2010. More younger voters turn out during a presidential election rather than a gubernatorial election year."

The group said it will spend the next 39 months raising funds and educating voters. The valley is a key battleground in the fight for same sex marriage, which in November was soundly defeated locally 70-30 percent. Maldonado said, "We know that in order to win next time we do need to move people in the central valley to be more supportive of same sex marriage."

While Equality California is calling for a 2012 vote another gay rights group, the Courage Campaign, wants the issue on the November 2010 ballot.