2002 Nevada Question 2
{{short description|American anti-gay marriage ballot measure}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox referendum
| name = Ballot Question 2
| title = Protection of Marriage Initiative
| date=November 5, 2002
| country=Nevada
| yes = 337,197
| no = 164,573
| total = 512,433
| electorate = 869,859
| turnoutpct = 57.68
| map=300px
| mapcaption={{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
Yes
{{legend|#28497C|80%–90% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}
{{legend|#47729E|70%–80% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}
{{legend|#7D9CBB|60%–70% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}
{{col-end}}
| notes = Source:[https://www.nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2002General/index.aspx 2002 General Election Coverage and Reports]
}}
{{Infobox referendum
| name = Ballot Question 2
| title = Protection of Marriage Initiative
| date=November 7, 2000
| country=Nevada
| yes = 412,688
| no = 180,077
| total = 613,360
| electorate = 874,304
| turnoutpct = 67.8
| map=File:2000 Nevada Question 2 election.svg
| mapcaption={{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
Yes
{{legend|#28497C|80%–90% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}
{{legend|#47729E|70%–80% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}
{{legend|#7D9CBB|60%–70% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}
{{col-end}}
| notes = Source:[https://www.nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2000General/index.aspx 2000 General Election Coverage and Reports]
}}
File:Nevada Yes On 2 Sign 2000 to 2002.jpg
Question 2 of 2000 and 2002 is a ballot measure that amended the Nevada Constitution by adding a definition of marriage that prevented same-sex marriages from being conducted or recognized in Nevada. The amendment was passed by voter referendum by a margin of 67%-33% on November 5, 2002.{{cite web |url=https://www.nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2002General/ElectionSummary.aspx |title=State of Nevada - Official 2002 General Election Results |year=2002 |website=Nevada Secretary of state |publisher=Secretary of State of Nevada |access-date= May 7, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108135315/https://www.nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2002General/ElectionSummary.aspx |archive-date=January 8, 2010}} It was previously approved by 69.6% to 30.4% of voters in 2000;{{cite web |url=https://www.nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2000General/ElectionSummary.aspx |title=State of Nevada - Official 2000 General Election Results |year=2000 |website=Nevada Secretary of state |publisher=Secretary of State of Nevada |access-date=May 7, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523120747/https://www.nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2000General/ElectionSummary.aspx |archive-date=May 23, 2010}} the Nevada Constitution requires two ballot votes for citizen-initiated constitutional amendments.{{cite book|last1=Djupe|first1=Paul A.|last2=Olson|first2=Laura R.|title=Religious Interests in Community Conflict: Beyond the Culture Wars|chapter=Sweet Land of Liberty: The Gay Marriage Amendment in Nevada|date=February 2, 2007|publisher=Baylor University Press|location=Waco, Texas|isbn=978-1932792515|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xRI1K_-DIooC&pg=PA54}}{{rp|54}}
The measure was heavily influenced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS church). A Nevada Mormon newspaper Beehive first reported the Coalition for the Protection of Marriage's intent to file an initiative petition in December 1999, and by October 2000 the coalition had raised over $800,000 from mostly Mormon-owned businesses and LDS individuals.{{cite web|last1=McBride|first1=Dennis|title=Question 2|url=https://outhistory.org/exhibits/show/las-vegas/articles/question-2|website=outhistory.org|publisher=The New School|year=2002|access-date=May 7, 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017005829/https://outhistory.org/exhibits/show/las-vegas/articles/question-2|archive-date=October 17, 2015|quote= By October 25, ERN had collected just $35,077, while the CPM [Coalition for the Protection of Marriage] had raised another $865,931.41, most of which had come from Nevada Mormons, which it used to saturate the media with its message and to raise billboards across the state}} Mormon leaders had strongly encouraged members through letters with church letterhead to do campaign work and post yard signs distributed at church buildings.{{cite web|last1=McBride|first1=Dennis|title=Wholesome Hate|url=https://knpr.org/desert-companion/2017-04/wholesome-hate|website=knpr.org|publisher=National Public Radio|date=April 1, 2017|access-date=May 7, 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228093632/https://knpr.org/desert-companion/2017-04/wholesome-hate|archive-date=February 28, 2021|quote=But it was the Mormon Church that fueled the Question 2 campaign. The most effective way the church accomplished this was through direct solicitation, on church letterhead, of its members. One such letter from the Reno Stake Presidency read, "Prayerfully consider supporting this cause in one or more of the following ways: Campaign Worker/Volunteer, Yard Sign, Walk Neighborhoods, Contribution ..." The church also told its members to pick up yard signs as they left services, signs stockpiled outside the church or in nearby parking lots.}}{{rp|51–71}}
The text of the adopted amendment, which is found at Article I, section 21 of the Nevada Constitution, states:
Only a marriage between a male and female person shall be recognized and given effect in this state.{{cite web |url=https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Const/NvConst.html#Art1Sec21 |title=The Constitution of the State of Nevada |website=Nevada Legislature |access-date=May 7, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040226002254/https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Const/NvConst.html |archive-date=February 26, 2004}}
2020 Nevada Question 2 was a ballot measure to replace Article I, section 21 with language that requires the recognition of same-sex marriage in Nevada.{{cite web |url=https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/80th2019/Bill/6053/Overview |title=Assembly Joint Resolution No. 2 of the 79th Session |date=May 23, 2019 |website=Nevada Legislature |publisher=Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau |access-date=May 7, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524211034/https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/80th2019/Bill/6053/Overview |archive-date=May 24, 2019}} It was passed on November 3, 2020, with 62% of the vote, making Nevada the first state to enshrine the right to same-sex marriage in a state constitution.{{Cite web |last=Browning |first=Bil |title=Nevada voters turn same-sex marriage ban into legal protections for gay couples |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2020/11/nevada-voters-turn-sex-marriage-ban-legal-protections-gay-couples/ |access-date=December 18, 2022 |website=LGBTQ Nation|date=November 4, 2020 }}{{Cite web |title=Nevada Question 2, Marriage Regardless of Gender Amendment (2020) |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Nevada_Question_2,_Marriage_Regardless_of_Gender_Amendment_(2020) |access-date=December 18, 2022 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}
Polling
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;" |
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! Poll source ! Date(s) ! Sample ! Margin ! style="width:100px;"| Approve ! style="width:100px;"| Reject ! Undecided |
| style="text-align:left;"|SurveyUSA[https://www.surveyusa.com/2002Elec.html SurveyUSA]
|October 27–29, 2002 |530 (LV) |± 4.4% |style="background: rgb(1,223,116);"|62% |37% |1% |
See also
- Sevcik v. Sandoval — a case challenging Article I, Section 21
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Same-sex unions in the United States}}
{{U.S. same-sex unions ballot measures}}
Category:2002 in LGBTQ history
Category:Initiatives in the United States
Category:LGBTQ history in Nevada
Category:Same-sex marriage ballot measures in the United States
Category:U.S. state constitutional amendments banning same-sex unions
Category:2002 Nevada elections
Category:2002 ballot measures in the United States