Opponents of a proposed state constitutional ban on same-sex marriages filed a lawsuit seeking to keep the measure off the November ballot.
The suit filed July 12 alleges the proposal violates the state Constitution’s ban on including more than one change to the Constitution in an amendment.
Opponents say the proposal would ask voters to decide three issues. Supporters said that argument was baseless and that they were asking voters to decide one issue.
The marriage initiative would amend the Arizona Constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
Though Arizona law already outlaws same-sex unions, supporters of the proposed amendment said more was needed to protect the sanctity of families by helping to prevent judges from overturning the prohibition.
It also would prohibit state and local governments from providing marriage-like “legal status” to unmarried couples. Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe and Tucson now offer domestic partner benefits to their employees.
Opponents said the proposal would treat unmarried couples unfairly and that many voters don’t support the legal status provision.
Before the measure can appear on the ballot, state officials have to determine the whether signature petitions gathered by supporters were valid. The campaign has said it had more than enough signatures to get the proposal on the ballot.
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