Exhibit 1.
The ACLU says that if there is any ambiguity about the reach of Proposal 2 and the marriage amendment, the court must look "to the intent of the voters." The ballot committee that sponsored Proposal 2 consistently and repeatedly assured voters that "Proposal 2 is only about marriage" and "not about rights or benefits or how people choose to live their lives." In Exhibit 1, the ACLU points to various quotes made by members of Citizens for Protection of Marriage, the group that successfully petitioned to get Proposal 2 on the ballot and helped assure its passage. Here's a look at what was said during the campaign.
"This has nothing to do with taking benefits away. This is about marriage between a man and a woman."
– Marlene Elwell, CFPM campaign director (USA Today, Oct. 15, 2004)
"The proposal would not affect benefits for gay couples. This amendment has nothing to do with benefits."
–
Kristina Hemphill, CFPM communications director (Holland Sentinel, Oct. 30, 2004)
"I can tell you than no subsequent legislation or even constitutional amendment may affect a matter of contract between two parties. And the domestic partner benefits for which you are referring are a contract between two parties … the constitution would not operate to impair rights of contract."
– Eric Doster, attorney who represented CFPM before the Michigan Board of Canvassers (Transcript of Board of Canvassers Hearing, Aug. 23, 2004)
