2012 Minnesota Amendment 1

none February 2026 September 2023 Minnesota 1983 Minnesota Amendment 1 Sources:Results for Constitutional Amendments 2012 MinnesotaHistorical Voter Turnout Statistics Minnesota Marriage Amendment 1,399,916 1,510,434 40,430 2,910,350 76.42 300px County results 300px Congressional district results 250px State house district results 300px Precinct results 1 County Yes #2B2457 90–100% 1px #AAAAAA solid #28497C 80–90% 1px #AAAAAA solid #47729E 70–80% 1px #AAAAAA solid #7D9CBB 60–70% 1px #AAAAAA solid #B6C8D9 50–60% 1px #AAAAAA solid No #32320C 90–100% 1px #AAAAAA solid #5D5D2D 80–90% 1px #AAAAAA solid #8B8B54 70–80% 1px #AAAAAA solid #BCBC83 60–70% 1px #AAAAAA solid #DEDEBD 50–60% 1px #AAAAAA solid Other #EBEEED Tie 1px #AAAAAA solid #808080 No data 1px #AAAAAA solid November 6, 2012 2012 Minnesota Amendment 1 (also called Minnesota Marriage Amendmenthttps://www.huffingtonpost.com/alexander-zachary/weathering-the-storms-of-the-minnesota-marriage-amendment_b_1934295.html Weathering the Storms of the Minnesota Marriage Amendment Alexander Zachary 3 October 2012 HuffPost 24 February 2019 or Minnesota Gay Marriage Amendmenthttps://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/sep/30/minnesota-to-vote-on-gay-marriage-ban/ Minnesota to vote on gay-marriage ban The Washington Times 24 February 2019) was a legislatively referred constitutional amendment proposed to ban marriage between same-sex couples in the state of Minnesota, that appeared on the ballot on November 6, 2012. It was rejected by 51.19% of voters. http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?fips=27&year=2012&f=0&off=50&elect=0 2012 Referendum General Election Results Uselectionatlas.org November 7, 2012 Legislative approval The Amendment began as a bill proposed in the Minnesota Senate on April 27, 2011, by Warren Limmer, Dave Thompson, Sean Nienow, Dan Hall, and Pam Wolf.SF 1308 Office of the Revisor of Statutes https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/87/2011/0/SF/1308/?body=Senate June 17, 2026 On May 11, 2011, the Minnesota Senate passed a bill to place a proposed amendment to the state constitution on the ballot that would ban same-sex marriage. The vote was 37–27, with all Republicans and one Democrat voting for the amendment. An identical bill was passed by the House on May 21; the vote was 70–62 with two Democrats and all but four Republicans voting for the amendment.Voters to determine the future of marriage, House decides May 22, 2011 Star Tribune http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/122401039.html The proposed amendment was on the ballot on November 6, 2012.https://www.revisor.mn.gov/revisor/pages/search_status/status_detail.php?b=Senate&f=SF1308&ssn=0&y=2011 SF1308 Status in Senate for Legislative Session 87: Constitutional amendment to recognize marriage solely between one man and one woman Minnesota State Legislature June 10, 2012 The proposed amendment read: "Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota." It did not refer to civil unions or domestic partnerships.https://www.sos.state.mn.us/home/?page=1719 Minnesota Secretary Of State - Home Sos.state.mn.us 24 February 2019 The question being presented to voters on the ballot read: "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?" Support and opposition thumb|left|Julian Bond and Governor Mark Dayton at a "Vote No" rally in June 2012. In March 2012, Minnesota's Roman Catholic bishops had an audience with Pope Benedict XVI, who told them that preserving the traditional definition of marriage was a priority. Roman Catholic Archbishop John Nienstedt of St. Paul and Minneapolis organized leaders of different religious denominations in support of the amendment and committed his own church to spend $650,000 on behalf of its passage. In September he joined other religious leaders in a demonstration in support of the amendment at the State Capitol.French Rose Helgeson Baird Marriage amendment: The archbishop draws the line http://www.startribune.com/local/172975931.html 25 October 2012 Star-Tribune 7 October 2012 The Minnesota Catholic Conference Marriage Defense Fund contributed more than half the $1.2 million raised by Minnesota for Marriage, the principal organization supporting the amendment, including $130,000 from the Knights of Columbus, a national Catholic organization.Helgeson Baird Minnesota's marriage amendment fight funded by Catholics across U.S. http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/174875371.html 25 October 2012 Star Tribune 18 October 2012 Immediately after the Minnesota legislature voted to put Amendment 1 on the ballot, OutFront Minnesota and Project 515, two groups working for LGBTQ rights in the state, formed Minnesotans United for All Families – the main campaign organization that would work to defeat the amendment. Minnesotans United was chaired by Richard Carlbom, the future chair of the DFL. Over the course of a year and a half, Minnesotans United would raise and spend over $12 million, more than double the pro-amendment side.https://www.mprnews.org/story/2012/11/09/marriage-how EIGHTEEN MONTHS TO HISTORY: How the Minnesota marriage amendment was defeated -- money, passion, allies Eric Ringham Sasha Aslanian Mprnews.org November 9, 2012 24 February 2019 More importantly, the Minnesotans United campaign formed a coalition group of allies with almost 700 member organizations that included political parties, labor unions, veterans, civic groups and businesses like General Mills.https://www.mprnews.org/story/2012/06/14/politics/general-mills-opposes-marriageamendment General Mills opposes marriage amendment Martin Moylan Mprnews.org June 14, 2012 24 February 2019http://www.startribune.com/businesses-drawn-into-fight-over-marriage-amendment/165812836/ Businesses drawn into fight over marriage amendment Star Tribune September 3, 2012 24 February 2019 The board and staff of the campaign reflected the same kind of diversity as its coalition partners and even included prominent Republicans. Drawing on lessons learned from past campaigns in other states, Minnesotans United did not cede the religious ground – it hired a faith director to reach out to communities of faith, and more than 100 of its coalition members were churches and other faith groups from around the state.https://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2012/11/what-happened-here-three-observations-about-minnesotas-marriage-vote/ What happened here? Three observations about Minnesota's marriage vote 26 November 2012 MinnPost.com 24 February 2019 The centerpiece of the Minnesotans United for All Families campaign became its huge grassroots effort to have conversations with the voters about marriage. Rather than focus on equal rights and fairness, as was done in previous campaigns, Minnesotans United and its thousands of volunteers, had personal conversations over the phones and face to face about how marriage had the same importance and meaning for both straight and same-sex couples. This messaging strategy, which was also used in the campaign's ad campaign, helped move conflicted voters and resulted in Minnesota being the first state, after 30 attempts, to defeat a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Minnesotans United is likely the biggest grassroots campaign in the state's history, having had 27,000 volunteers knock on over 400,000 doors and make over 900,000 phone calls in the final eight days of the campaignhttp://www.startribune.com/minnesota-lawmakers-won-t-be-rushed-on-gay-marriage/191468771/ OPINION EXCHANGE - Minnesota lawmakers won't be rushed on gay marriage Star Tribune February 17, 2013 24 February 2019 The Minnesota arm of President Obama's presidential re-election campaign announced his opposition to this proposed constitutional amendment in April.Louwagie Pam Obama weighs in against Minnesota's marriage ballot http://www.startribune.com/politics/146746145.html 25 October 2012 Star Tribune 9 April 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20130127012951/http://www.startribune.com/politics/146746145.html 27 January 2013 Advertisements in opposition to the amendment also featured Minnesota Vikings football player Chris Kluwe.Gervino Tony The Punter Makes His Point https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/20/sports/football/punter-chris-kluwes-voice-is-heard-in-same-sex-marriage-debate.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 25 October 2012 New York Times 19 October 2012 Opinion polls Various public opinion surveys of Minnesota residents have asked questions regarding same-sex marriage. The questions vary, with some surveys referring directly to the proposed Amendment and others asking more general questions. Date of opinion poll Conducted by Sample size For amendment Against amendment Undecided/Other Margin of error Question May 2–5, 2011Minnesota Poll: Majority oppose gay marriage ban https://web.archive.org/web/20120818234202/http://www.startribune.com/politics/121725399.html 2012-08-18 Star Tribune 806 adults 39% 55% 7% (Don't know/refused to answer) ±4.7% "Please tell me if you would favor or oppose amending the Minnesota constitution to ban same-sex marriage." May 23–24, 2011http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=be72dc6c-d8fe-4da2-ab5d-07ce56bc7bee SurveyUSA News Poll #18243 Surveyusa.com 24 February 2019 SurveyUSA 552 RV 51% 40% 2% not sure 8% not vote ±4.3% "If an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution were on the ballot, that defines marriage as between one man and one woman, would you vote FOR the amendment? Against the amendment? Or not vote on the measure?" May 27–30, 2011http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_MN_06011118.pdf Minnesotans like Dayton, split on gay marriage Publicpolicypolling.com 24 February 2019 Public Policy Polling 1,179 voters 46% 47% 7% not sure ±2.9% "Should the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?" October 17–26, 2011http://media1.stcloudstate.edu/slideshows/report_SCSUSurveyFindingsFall2011.pdf Annual Minnesota Statewide Survey Fall 2011 – Findings Report Media1.stcloudstate.edu 24 February 2019 November 14, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121114202610/http://media1.stcloudstate.edu/slideshows/report_SCSUSurveyFindingsFall2011.pdf dead St. Cloud State University Survey 626 LV 43.6% 47.4% 9% ±5% "Should the Minnesota constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?" November 2–3, 2011Minnesota Poll results: Marriage Amendment https://web.archive.org/web/20121108092820/http://www.startribune.com/politics/133367088.html 2012-11-08 Princeton Survey Research Associates International 807 adults 48% 43% 8% (Don't know/refused to answer) ±4.4% "Would you favor or oppose amending the Minnesota constitution to allow marriage only between a man and a woman?" November 2–7, 2011http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReportEmail.aspx?g=98e06008-a002-4bda-b2dc-d5093903734a Results of SurveyUSA Election Poll #18726 Surveyusa.com 24 February 2019 SurveyUSA 543 RV 46% 40% 4% not sure 10% not vote ±4.3% "If an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution were on the ballot, that defines marriage as between one man and one woman, would you vote FOR the amendment? Against the amendment? Or not vote on the measure?" January 21–22, 2012http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_MN_012712.pdf Dayton Sees Strong Approval in Minnesota Publicpolicypolling.com 24 February 2019 Public Policy Polling 1,236 voters 48% 44% 8% not sure ±2.8% "Should the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?" January 31 – February 2, 2012http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=2911f444-ad7c-40e3-8060-4a9a7b185cc2 SurveyUSA News Poll #18953 Surveyusa.com 24 February 2019 SurveyUSA 542 RV 47% 39% 4% not sure 10% not vote ±4.3% "An amendment to the Minnesota Constitution on the ballot defines marriage as between one man and one woman. Will you vote FOR the amendment? Against the amendment? Or not vote on the measure?" May 31 – June 3, 2012http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/06/minnesotans-opposition-to-marriage-amendment-growing.html Minnesotans' opposition to marriage amendment growing Publicpolicypolling.com June 5, 2012 24 February 2019 Public Policy Polling 973 voters 43% 49% 7% not sure ±3.1% "Should the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?" July 17–19, 2012http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=7eeab57a-eb71-47e3-aed7-5cab8493d94f SurveyUSA Election Poll #19394 Surveyusa.com 24 February 2019 SurveyUSA 552 LV 52% 37% 6% not sure 5% not vote ±4.3% "An amendment to the Minnesota Constitution on the ballot defines marriage as between one man and one woman. Will you vote FOR the amendment? Against the amendment? Or not vote on the measure?" September 6–9, 2012http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=221d9460-d4ad-4427-a0d1-f4eee62a9e2a SurveyUSA Election Poll #19612 Surveyusa.com 24 February 2019 SurveyUSA 551 LV 50% 43% 8% ±4.3% "Also on the ballot is a ballot measure about marriage. It asks: Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?" September 10–11, 2012http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/09/minnesota-split-on-marriage-amendment.html Minnesota split on marriage amendment Publicpolicypolling.com September 12, 2012 24 February 2019 Public Policy Polling 824 LV 48% 47% 5% not sure ±3.4% "Should the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?" September 17–19, 2012http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-poll-results-marriage-amendment/170564076/ MINNESOTA POLL RESULTS: Marriage amendment Star Tribune September 23, 2012 24 February 2019 Mason-Dixon Polling and Research, Inc. 800 LV 49% 47% 4% ±3.5% "Another [amendment on the November ballot] asks "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as marriage in Minnesota?" If the election were held today, would you vote: "YES", in favor of the amendment; "NO", against the amendment." October 5–8, 2012http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_MN_1008.pdf Minnesota marriage amendment narrowly trails Publicpolicypolling.com 24 February 2019 Public Policy Polling 937 LV 46% 49% 5% not sure 1% won't vote ±3.2% "Should the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?" October 12–14, 2012http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=2c5df6fe-ac56-44ec-ba5b-73fdf4769eab SurveyUSA Election Poll #19873 Surveyusa.com 24 February 2019 SurveyUSA 550 LV 47% 46% 7% ±4.3% "Also on the ballot is a ballot measure about marriage. It asks: Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?" October 15–21, 2012https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2012/10/st-cloud-state-poll-shows-slender-lead-opponents-marriage-amendment/ St. Cloud State poll shows slender lead for opponents of marriage amendment Hawkins Beth 26 October 2012 MinnPost August 7, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20130303024202/https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2012/10/st-cloud-state-poll-shows-slender-lead-opponents-marriage-amendment/ March 3, 2013http://www.minnpost.com/sites/default/files/attachments/saint-cloud-amendment-survey-methodology.pdf FALL STATEWIDE SURVEY OCTOBER, 2012 Frank Stephen I St. cloud State University August 7, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20150523152017/http://www.minnpost.com/sites/default/files/attachments/saint-cloud-amendment-survey-methodology.pdf May 23, 2015 St. Cloud State University Survey 600 LV 44% 51% 5% ±5% "The second proposed amendment to the Minnesota Constitution asks "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman be valid or recognized as marriage in Minnesota?" If you were to vote today would you vote for the amendment, vote against the amendment, or not vote on this issue?" October 23–25, 2012http://www.startribune.com/breakdown-of-poll-findings-on-marriage-amendment/176007971/ Breakdown of poll findings on marriage amendment Star Tribune October 28, 2012 24 February 2019http://www.startribune.com/how-the-poll-was-conducted/176113051/ How the poll was conducted Star Tribune October 28, 2012 24 February 2019 Mason-Dixon Polling and Research, Inc. 800 LV 48% 47% 5% ±3.5% "Another ballot question asks "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as marriage in Minnesota?" If the election were held today, would you vote: YES in favor of the amendment; NO against the amendment" October 26–28, 2012http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=d67b9051-ae5f-4d9b-890a-eca249f45000 SurveyUSA Election Poll #20056 Surveyusa.com 24 February 2019 SurveyUSA 574 LV 48% 47% 5% ±4.2% "Also on the ballot is a ballot measure about marriage. It asks: Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?" November 1–3, 2012http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=f3948b22-4bf4-4dcc-9fd1-7f9f5a4dd7f9 SurveyUSA Election Poll #20105 Surveyusa.com 24 February 2019 SurveyUSA 556 LV 47% 48% 5% ±4.2% "Also on the ballot is a ballot measure about marriage. It asks: Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?" November 2–3, 2012http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_MN_1103.pdf Obama up 8 in Minnesota, amendments trail for passage Publicpolicypolling.com 24 February 2019 Public Policy Polling 1,164 LV 45% 52% 3% not sure 0% won't vote ±2.9% "Should the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?" Results Constitutional Amendment 1Recognition of MarriageSolely Between One Man and One Woman 1399675 1510366 Precincts Reporting - 100 40398 http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?fips=27&year=2012&f=0&off=50&elect=0 Source for Popular Vote data: Minnesota Secretary of State. Results for Constitutional Amendments, Minnesota Secretary of State Uselectionatlas.org 24 February 2019 County breakdown +Breakdown of voting by countyResults for Constitutional Amendments https://web.archive.org/web/20121211023131/http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/ENR/Results/AmendmentResultsCounty/1?questionid=140 2012-12-11 County No Votes Yes VotesAitkin38.2%3,42861.8%5,699Anoka49.4%90,46850.6%94,690Becker37.1%5,84862.9%10,364Beltrami48.9%10,56351.1%11,334Benton44.6%8,60655.4%10,943Big Stone32.9%88767.1%1,888Blue Earth54.2%18,29145.8%15,796Brown33.6%4,60466.4%9,312Carlton48.1%8,75851.9%9,632Carver49.9%25,95350.1%26,552Cass38.1%5,99661.9%10,041Chippewa36.9%2,25263.1%3,944Chisago43.1%12,45956.9%16,815Clay49.5%13,90350.5%14,652Clearwater29.1%1,16870.9%3,000Cook60.1%1,97839.9%1,334Cottonwood30.0%1,75970.0%4,143Crow Wing40.2%13,77059.8%20,954Dakota55.4%125,70544.6%103,250Dodge41.4%4,19958.6%6,096Douglas36.4%7,47463.6%13,436Faribault35.1%2,66864.9%5,046Fillmore43.4%4,60956.6%6,196Freeborn40.0%6,51860.0%10,097Goodhue47.6%12,07952.4%13,583Grant36.1%1,22663.9%2,241Hennepin65.3%433,80334.7%237,084Houston42.3%4,25657.7%6,066Hubbard38.1%4,31061.9%7,185Isanti39.0%7,74261.0%12,391Itasca44.3%10,41255.7%13,392Jackson31.2%1,66568.8%3,785Kanabec35.5%2,82864.5%5,281Kandiyohi37.2%7,77462.8%13,523Kittson33.6%78066.4%1,629Koochiching46.2%2,91053.8%3,504Lac qui Parle32.3%1,25767.7%2,711Lake49.0%3,26851.0%3,496Lake of the Woods36.1%76963.9%1,436Le Sueur42.4%6,16357.6%8,559Lincoln29.8%87970.2%2,211Lyon38.0%4,62862.0%7,725McLeod34.3%6,21865.7%12,253Mahnomen38.6%80761.4%1,350Marshall28.2%1,11971.8%3,541Martin32.4%3,46667.6%7,465Meeker35.5%4,26464.5%7,937Mille Lacs39.3%5,05360.7%8,004Morrison32.1%5,22867.9%11,424Mower43.2%7,81856.8%10,603Murray29.0%1,33771.0%3,419Nicollet53.0%9,59547.0%8,670Nobles25.7%2,03574.3%6,393Norman37.0%1,13263.0%2,050Olmsted51.0%39,05349.0%38,525Otter Tail33.5%10,20266.5%21,180Pennington38.6%2,44461.4%4,030Pine37.8%5,21662.2%8,756Pipestone24.4%1,09275.6%3,539Polk35.4%4,95164.6%9,547Pope36.5%2,24263.5%3,991Ramsey63.5%172,19736.5%102,069Red Lake32.3%61767.7%1,356Redwood30.5%2,33069.5%5,455Renville33.7%2,54966.3%5,145Rice53.7%17,02546.3%15,010Rock26.6%1,21873.4%3,579Roseau30.1%2,11569.9%5,185Scott51.1%35,95148.9%35,212Sherburne43.7%19,95356.3%26,306Sibley31.3%2,37968.7%5,404St. Louis55.9%63,66344.1%51,272Stearns47.0%36,30953.0%41,849Steele44.4%8,33955.6%10,685Stevens44.3%2,46355.7%3,163Swift39.1%1,84760.9%3,293Todd28.8%3,31171.2%8,448Traverse33.8%60266.2%1,238Wabasha40.8%4,69859.2%7,011Wadena30.4%1,98169.6%4,769Waseca40.2%3,87359.8%5,877Washington55.3%77,10844.7%63,767Watonwan36.4%1,82863.6%3,295Wilkin31.4%96768.6%2,222Winona53.0%14,13247.0%12,884Wright44.0%29,25956.0%38,157Yellow Medicine34.5%1,83565.5%3,572 See also Law LGBTQ United States Recognition of same-sex unions in Minnesota LGBT rights in Minnesota Baker v. Nelson Maine Question 1, 2012 Maryland Question 6 Washington Referendum 74 References External links SF1308: Constitutional amendment to recognize marriage solely between one man and one woman Minnesotans United for All Families (opposition) Minnesota For Marriage https://web.archive.org/web/20121112095252/http://www.minnesotaformarriage.com/ 2012-11-12 (support) Who is funding the marriage amendment fight? https://web.archive.org/web/20121019001026/http://www.minnpost.com/data/2012/10/who-funding-marriage-amendment-fight October 19, 2012 , MinnPost MNopedia: Minnesota Amendment 1 Category:LGBTQ rights in Minnesota Category:2012 in LGBTQ history Category:Same-sex marriage ballot measures in the United States Category:2012 Minnesota elections Minnesota Category:Minnesota ballot measures Category:U.S. state constitutional amendments Category:LGBTQ history in Minnesota