In response to a petition created by the anti-same-sex marriage organization, Citizens for the Protection of Marriage, the Coalition for a Fair Michigan plans to address voters today at primary polls all over the state.
Coalition volunteers said they want to educate voters on the proposed Michigan Marriage Protection Amendment's wording, which will possibly be on the November ballot, and the effects of the amendment on residents if it were passed.
"The amendment goes really far beyond marriage," said Wendy Howell, campaign manager for the Coalition for a Fair Michigan. "It would permanently ban civil unions and take away domestic partner benefits. People need to know that."
Citizens for the Protection of Marriage, which is made up of several different anti-same-sex marriage groups from across the state, turned in 482,590 signatures in early July. The organization exceeded the required 317,757 signatures to get it on the ballot.
The signatures are in the middle of the Secretary of State's 60-day verification period. It will officially be placed on the ballot once enough signatures are declared valid.
"The purpose of the petition was so that all the people of Michigan get to decide on this issue - not just a handful of judges like how it had occurred in Massachusetts, Vermont and Ontario," said Gary Glenn, president of the American Family Association of Michigan, a group which is a part of the Citizens for the Protection of Marriage.
Glenn said the coalition's campaign will not make a difference in voters' opinions.
"Our focus isn't going to be affected by what goes on the other side of the issue," Glenn said. "We know the people of Michigan overwhelmingly believe marriage should remain how it always has been - between one man and one woman."
Linguistics and mathematics senior Andrew Cooper plans to be a registered Michigan voter by the fall and wants to vote "no" on the amendment if it gets on the ballot.
"If they are given legal sanctions to marry, it will lead to stability for more people," Cooper said.
