http://www.365gay.com/Newscon05/12/122905minBan.htmOpponents of gay marriage concede that the outcome of two special elections in Minnesota will make it harder for them to put a constitutional ban on same-sex unions on the ballot next November.
Only the voters can amend the Minnesota Constitution to ban gay marriage, but both houses of the Legislature must vote first to put the measure on the ballot. The GOP-controlled Minnesota House has overwhelmingly voted twice in the past two years to do just that, but the proposal has been blocked in the DFL-controlled Senate.
Now voters in two special elections have chosen new DFL senators who oppose a ban on gay marriage, and both of them are replacing Republicans who favored the amendment.
Supporters of the amendment have blamed Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson, DFL-Willmar, for blocking a floor vote. He said Wednesday he expects both sides will keep up the pressure this coming session.