North Carolina Senate Bill 514, more commonly referred to as Amendment 1, is far from unique on the surface: 29 other states already have constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage, including all Southeastern states. But because of North Carolina’s unique place in the 2012 presidential elections – a likely battleground state, which will also play host to the Democratic National Committee – the amendment has raised eyebrows.
Kareem Crayton, associate professor of law at the University of North Carolina, is among those with raised eyebrows. Specializing in constitutional law and election law, Kareem discusses what makes Amendment 1 distinct, and what the political fallout of it may be. Senator Dan Soucek, a Republican member of the North Carolina State Senate, discusses the intentions behind the amendment.
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