WINSTON-SALEM — A multitude of same-sex couples is rushing to the altar ahead of California’s ballot referendum on Proposition 8, the constitutional amendment that would roll back the historic State Supreme Court ruling that knocked down the state’s gay marriage ban.
The San Diego Union-Tribune profiled Winston-Salem, N.C. couple Ken McLeod and Terry Schadegg, who flew to California for their wedding.
“We timed it now to be before the Nov. 4 election – just in case,” McLeod, 42, told the daily paper.
The number of marriage licenses issued have skyrocketed across California as gay and lesbian couples rush to beat the Nov. 4 election. Still under dispute is whether marriages between same-sex couples performed prior to any passage of the amendment will still be recognized afterward.
The California Secretary of State has said the amendment would go into effect as soon as Nov. 5, if passed the day before.
San Diego County officials told The Union-Tribune that license numbers look more like the number issued in an average June.
“Obviously there is an election in a little more than two weeks that people are aware of. And our good weather is coming to an end too, so that probably plays into it as well,” said Dale Kelly Bankhead, a manager for the No on 8 campaign.