D.C. Board Of Elections Rules Against Same-Sex Marriage Opponents

By Jonathan Wilson

The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics has decided not to put a same-sex marriage ban on the ballot in the District, but same-sex marriage opponents say they're ready to appeal the decision.

The board says putting the measure on the ballot would violate D.C. law. "There are certain subject matters that cannot be put on the ballot," says Ken Mcghie, the board's general counsel. "One of them is something that would discriminate or authorize discrimination in violation of the city's Human Rights Act."

Stand 4 Marriage D.C., the group that proposed the measure, has ten days to file an appeal with the D.C. Superior Court. Pastor Derek McCoy, a member of the coalition, says the group is prepared to appeal the case all the way to the Supreme Court.

"We believe that one of these courts are going to hear our case and rule favorably," says McCoy. "We are going to be pressing full steam ahead to make forward progress on this issue."

McCoy says the decision is part of a concerted effort by city leaders to silence local residents on the same-sex marriage debate.