July 29, 2008

"Backers of same-sex marriage ban to challenge rewording of Proposition 8"

"Proponents of a ballot measure to ban same-sex marriages in California plan to appear in court today to challenge state Attorney General Jerry Brown's rewording of the measure's ballot summary.

On the petitions circulated last year to qualify the measure for the Nov. 4 ballot, it was described as a "Limit on Marriage."

But Brown's new title and summary of Proposition 8, posted on the Secretary of State's Web site on July 22, states the proposed constitutional amendment "Eliminates right of same-sex couples to marry."

The summary still says Proposition 8 provides that "only marriage between a man a woman is valid or recognized in California."

The titles and summaries of ballot measures are typically scrutinized by both sides in a campaign and often challenged in court if one side feels the wording could sway voters against them.

Jennifer Kerns, a spokeswoman for the Yes on Proposition 8, confirmed that proponents "will file a ballot challenge (today in) Superior Court in Sacramento."

Posted by Randy Riddle at July 29, 2008 09:35 AM