New Marriage Ballot Measure Takes Extra Step

The California Secretary of State's office has authorized the circulation of a petition for a ballot initiative that would overturn Prop 8 and replace the term "marriage" with "domestic partnership" under California law:

The Attorney General of California has prepared the following title and summary of the chief purpose and points of the proposed measure: SUBSTITUTES DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP FOR MARRIAGE IN CALIFORNIA LAW. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND STATUTE. Replaces the term 'marriage' with the term 'domestic partnership' throughout California law, but preserves the rights provided in marriage. Applies equally to all couples, regardless of sexual orientation. Repeals the provision in California’s Constitution that states only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: This measure would have an unknown fiscal effect on state and local governments. (09-0003).

The measure was submitted by Ali Shams and Kaelan Housewright, two heterosexual college students from southern California, and requires 694,354 signatures by August 6, 2009 in order to get on the ballot.