By narrow margins, Maryland voters yesterday legalized same-sex marriage and an expansion of casino gambling in their state and, by larger numbers, made it possible for some undocumented immigrants to attend college at in-state tuition rates.
Gay marriage was approved 52 percent to 48 percent, the same margin of victory for the measure that allows Maryland casinos to offer table games such as blackjack and roulette and permits a casino to be built in Prince George’s County, just outside Washington.
Issues on the ballot in Maryland were widely discussed for months across the state.
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Maryland’s version of the Dream Act, giving benefits to undocumented immigrants who meet certain criteria, was approved 58 percent to 42 percent.
Maryland became one of the first states to approve gay marriage by popular vote. Before yesterday’s election, six states and the District had legalized same-sex marriage by legislative or judicial action. In 32 states, referendums on similar measures had failed.
But yesterday Maine and Washington state joined Maryland in legalizing gay marriage by statewide vote. In Minnesota, voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have banned same-sex marriage.
Meanwhile, Wisconsin elected the first openly-gay U.S. senator — Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat.
In the Mid-Atlantic, both the District and Maryland now permit gay marriage, while neither Virginia nor North Carolina does. Virginia adopted a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and civil unions in 2006; North Carolina adopted a similar one earlier this year.
Gay couples may begin marrying in Maryland beginning Jan. 1.
Robert Dilday (rdilday@religiousherald.org) is managing editor of the Religious Herald.
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Baptists in Maryland grapple with ballot items on casinos, gay marriage, undocumented workers