Charlotte, NC -
Voters in North Carolina have approved a constitutional amendment defining marriage solely as a union between a man and a woman.
Sixty-one percent of voters, or 1,303,952 people, voted for the ban on gay marriage, with 831,788 voting against.
The Christian Science Monitor said that Republican and African American voters came out strongly anti-gay.
"Anytime in North Carolina you have a majority of Republicans and African Americans on the same side of an issue, that's a very potent combination," said Tom Jensen of the Raleigh-based Public Policy Polling firm.
North Carolina becomes the 30th state to adopt such a ban against same-sex marriage. The constitutional amendment also effectively bans civil unions.
Leading up to Tuesday's vote, supporters and opponents each ran large ad campaigns. Former President Bill Clinton recorded robocalls opposing the anti-gay amendment.
Sixty-one percent of voters, or 1,303,952 people, voted for the ban on gay marriage, with 831,788 voting against.
The Christian Science Monitor said that Republican and African American voters came out strongly anti-gay.
"Anytime in North Carolina you have a majority of Republicans and African Americans on the same side of an issue, that's a very potent combination," said Tom Jensen of the Raleigh-based Public Policy Polling firm.
North Carolina becomes the 30th state to adopt such a ban against same-sex marriage. The constitutional amendment also effectively bans civil unions.
Leading up to Tuesday's vote, supporters and opponents each ran large ad campaigns. Former President Bill Clinton recorded robocalls opposing the anti-gay amendment.
