GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2011

H                                                                                                                                                   D

HOUSE DRH11173-LBx-120B  (01/04)

Short Title:        Defense of Marriage.		(Public)
Sponsors:	Representative Lewis.
Referred to:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION TO PROVIDE THAT Marriage is the union of one man and one woman at one time, and that no other relationship shall be recognized as a valid marriage by the state.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article 14 of the North Carolina Constitution is amended by adding the following new section:

"Sec. 6.  Marriage.

Marriage is the union of one man and one woman at one time. No other relationship shall be recognized as a valid marriage by the State."

SECTION 2.  The amendment set out in Section 1 of this act shall be submitted to the qualified voters of the State at the statewide general election on November 6, 2012, which election shall be conducted under the laws then governing elections in the State. Ballots, voting systems, or both may be used in accordance with Chapter 163 of the General Statutes. The question to be used in the voting systems and ballots shall be:

"[ ] FOR           [ ] AGAINST

Constitutional amendment to provide that marriage is the union of one man and one woman at one time, and no other relationship shall be recognized as a valid marriage by the State."

SECTION 3.  If a majority of votes cast on the question are in favor of the amendment set out in Section 1 of this act, the State Board of Elections shall certify the amendment to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall enroll the amendment so certified among the permanent records of that office.

SECTION 4.  The amendment set out in Section 1 of this act becomes effective January 1, 2013.

SECTION 5.  This act is effective when it becomes law.