A group that opposes same-sex marriage will mount an initiative campaign to put a state constitutional amendment on Arizona’s 2006 ballot instead of seeking legislative action as previously planned, leaders announced Jan. 13.

“Marriage — the foundation of our society _ is too important to politicize,” Center for Arizona Policy President Len Munsil said in a statement. The Center describes itself as a conservative, pro-family public policy organization.

Some Republicans had been drafting a legislative resolution to put a same-sex marriage ban before voters, and the legislation would have enough support to pass, Mr. Munsil said.

However, recent reports “marginalized” the issue as a political football that would be used by both Republicans and Democrats, he said.

“For that reason, we are announcing today that our coalition intends to gather signatures to place a comprehensive, constitutional marriage amendment on the 2006 ballot. We are taking this issue directly to the people,” he added.

Supporters previously said the proposed constitutional amendment would have defined marriage as being a union between a man and a woman and would have prohibited the state and local governments from providing unmarried couples with the same benefits as married couples.

Mr. Munsil said coalition members would write the proposed language for the initiative in coming months and announce the formation of a committee to gather signatures to put it on the ballot.

The Secretary of State’s Office said 183,917 valid signatures of registered voters would be needed on petitions to place a proposed amendment on the ballot.

Eleven states approved constitutional bans Nov. 2.