"We see once again, when traditional marriage is put to the people, they will support traditional marriage." - IRD President James Tonkowich

Contact: Jeff Walton, The Institute on Religion and Democracy, 202-682-4131, 202-413-5639 cell, jwalton@TheIRD.org 

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 /Christian Newswire/ -- On Tuesday voters in three states approved state constitutional amendments defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Florida, Arizona and California join 27 other states around the nation that have already adopted constitution amendments defining marriage.

IRD President James Tonkowich commented:

"We see once again, when traditional marriage is put to the people they will support traditional marriage.

"Tuesday's vote reveals the broad support for protecting marriage among the American people. The message is clear by the numbers with passage in Arizona garnering 56 percent, Florida with 62 percent and California with 52 percent.

"Americans across this nation are taking their voice to the ballot box to reign in activist judges whose actions have undercut democracy, the will of the people, and marriage, our most basic social institution.

"This is not a 'red state' or 'blue state' issue. The three states were in different parts of the country and went for different candidates by widely varying margins.

"Marriage is an issue that crosses ethnic divides, with both African American and Latino voters approving California's Proposition 8 by overwhelming margins. Interestingly, these same groups also voted overwhelmingly for the Democratic presidential ticket."

The Institute on Religion and Democracy, founded in 1981, is an ecumenical alliance of U.S. Christians working to reform their churches' social witness, in accord with biblical and historic Christian teachings, thereby contributing to the renewal of democratic society at home and abroad.

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