Virginia voters approve constitutional marriage protections

Virginia voters approved Question 2, amending the state constitution to remove its ban on same-sex marriage and protect marriages between adults regardless of sex, gender or race. The measure also requires those marriages to be treated equally under state law. The result formally removes a restriction that had remained in Virginia’s constitution even after it became unenforceable. Federal courts invalidated the ban in 2014, and the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges established marriage equality nationwide. Election-night results were still being counted in the reports. Decision Desk HQ reported Question 2 passing with 57% of the vote when more than 95% had been counted. Earlier snapshots showed 56% in favor with 84% counted and 56.2% with about 78% counted. Those preliminary figures do not establish a final certified tally. The amendment replaces constitutional language limiting marriage to a man and a woman. It bars the state from denying a marriage license to two adults because of their sex, gender or race, and directs state law to treat their marriages equally. Supporters argued that adding protections to Virginia’s constitution would reduce...