North Carolina votes on equality in Amendment One

North Carolina votes today to decide whether to ban equality in their state constitution. Same sex marriage is already banned in North Carolina, this amendment would be the cherry on top of discrimination and threaten all domestic partnerships. There would be no more legal unions between unmarried people, gay or straight. It could take health care benefits away from families, it could take away domestic violence protections, hospital visitation rights, and all the very basic protections of civil unions.

Unfortunately, polling suggests that the amendment is likely to pass. Public Policy Polling surveyed the amendment and finds it leading by a 55-39 margin, because many don't understand just how far-reaching the amendment is.

In some sense North Carolinians are voting against their own beliefs. 53% of voters in the state support either gay marriage or civil unions, yet a majority also support the amendment that would ban both. The reason for that disconnect is even with just 24 hours until election day only 46% of voters realize the proposal bans both gay marriage and civil unions. Those informed voters oppose the amendment by a 61-37 margin but there may not be enough time left to get the rest of the electorate up to speed.

The opposition, Protect ALL NC Families, has been strong, with a boost from President Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, and the NAACP. They've also had great support from the Netroots. But they need more help today in getting out the vote.

You can help. Courage Campaign is working with Protect ALL NC Families and has a Call Out the Vote phonebank running all day today. If you have a few minutes, and hour, an afternoon free today, please help with the phonebank and help get the word out on just how extreme this amendment is. Everything you need is at this link, including talking points.

8:22 AM PT: North Carolina Bev Perdue (D) is strongly opposed to Amendment 1, and spoke out against it on MSNBC this morning:

Perdue told MSNBC's 'Daily Rundown' host Chuck Todd that she considers her state's vote on Tuesday 'our Rosa Parks moment in North Carolina because it's about taking away civil rights.'

'This is a big day for North Carolina. Chuck, this hurts our brand,' Perdue said. 'Our state has been known around America and around the world as a progressive leader, as an inviting state, the hub of business and opportunity. This is bad for business.'