Agenda - 01-24-2012 - 4e - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: January 24, 2012 Action Agenda Item No. �- -e SUBJECT: Resolution Regarding Proposed Amendment to the NC Constitution That Defines Marriage DEPARTMENT: Housing, Human Rights, and PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No Community Development ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Resolution Tara Fikes, 245-2490 PURPOSE: To adopt a resolution voicing opposition to the proposed amendment to the NC Constitution that defines marriage and thereby promotes discrimination. BACKGROUND: On February 22, 2011, a bill was introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly to amend the North Carolina Constitution. The proposed Amendment stated, "Marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state." On September 14, 2011, the North Carolina General Assembly, after three readings, ratified a proposed Amendment to Article 14 of the North Carolina Constitution by adding a new section to read as follows: "Sec 6. Marriage Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State. This section does not prohibit a private party from entering into contracts with another private party; nor does this section prohibit courts from adjudicating the rights of private parties pursuant to such contracts." Registered voters shall determine whether the proposed amendment will be approved. However, the language that will appear on the May 8, 2012 North Carolina State Primary Ballot regarding the Proposed Amendment will be in the following format to the voters of the State: "(J FOR �J AGAINST Constitutional amendment to provide that marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State." The exact text of the proposed amendment will not be included on the ballot.