Over two-thirds of Madison, WI voters said “No” to the marriage amendment, proving in part why Madison routinely trumps every other Wisconsin city on “Best Place to Live” lists.
On those same issues, however, the majority of Wisconsin voters said “Yes.” So the Wisconsin constitution will be amended. The clause that used to say, “A marriage is between a husband and a wife” will be replaced by a new clause that says, “A marriage is between one man and one woman.” A second sentence will be added that says no other relationship shall be treated like marriage. This will affect every non-married household, which - according to the New York Times - now totals over half of all U.S. households. It’s hard to believe that this has happened in the same state that Fighting Bob LaFollette called ‘home.’
But there’s hope.
- Fair Wisconsin ran a professional, strategic campaign. They raised $5M from 12,000 people, and activated over 10,000 volunteers who talked with thousands more about things that are normally left unsaid;
- Mike Tate’s comments from last evening remind me that equality will happen in my lifetime; and
- 70% of Wisconsin voters under 30 voted ‘No’ to the marriage amendment.
I’m deeply disappointed by Wisconsin’s results, but I believe that further engaging the next generation is our hope.
P.S. Madison Magazine has published my NEXT installation in this month’s edition.
