Md. ballot question: Gay marriage

WASHINGTON – On Nov. 6, voters will weigh in on critical issues facing regional states, including the Virginia government’s right to seize private property and the issues of gay marriage, tuition for undocumented immigrants and expanded gambling in Maryland.

WTOP has compiled additional information on some of these topics. Take a moment to learn a bit more about what will be on the ballot this fall.

Maryland Statewide Ballot

Question 6: Civil Marriage Protection Act
Referendum Petition

This law allows gay and lesbian couples to obtain a civil marriage license, as long as they are not otherwise prohibited from getting married.

It protects clergy from performing a ceremony that is in conflict with their religious beliefs.

It states that every religious faith has “exclusive control over its own theological doctrine regarding who may marry within that faith.”

It protects religious organizations and related groups from providing goods, services or benefits to someone regarding the “celebration or promotion of marriage in violation of their religious beliefs.”

How it will appear on the ballot:

“Establishes that Maryland’s civil marriage laws allow gay and lesbian couples to obtain a civil marriage license, provided they are not otherwise prohibited from marrying; protects clergy from having to perform any particular marriage ceremony in violation of their religious beliefs; affirms that each religious faith has exclusive control over its own theological doctrine regarding who may marry within that faith; and provides that religious organizations and certain related entities are not required to provide goods, services, or benefits to an individual related to the celebration or promotion of marriage in violation of their religious beliefs.”