“We see once again, when traditional marriage is put to the people, they will support traditional marriage.” – IRD President Jim Tonkowich

Contact: Loralei Coyle, The Institute on Religion and Democracy, 202-682-4131 lcoyle@ird-renew.org

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 /Christian Newswire/ -- Yesterday, voters in 7 states voted to protect the most basic institution in our society from activist judges by approving state constitutional amendments that define marriage as the union between one man and one woman. They join 20 other states around this nation.

IRD president Jim Tonkowich released the following statement:

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

“Yesterday’s vote reveals the broad support for protecting marriage among the American people. The message is clear by the numbers with passage in Colorado with 56%, Idaho with 63%, South Carolina with 78%, South Dakota with 52%, Tennessee with 80%, Virginia with 57% and Wisconsin with 59%. 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.

“Now it’s time for the U.S. Senate to move forward on the passage of a federal Marriage Protection Amendment. We now have 27 states that have passed state marriage initiatives with an average of over 69%. Americans support traditional marriage and it’s time for the U.S. Senate to do the same.”

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.