Dayton: Minn. voters will reject marriage amendment

DFL Gov. Mark Dayton is predicting that Minnesota voters will defeat a proposed same-sex marriage ban that will appear on the statewide ballot in November.

Under a measure passed last year, voters will decide whether to amend the state constitution with a definition of marriage as between one man and one woman. Dayton brought up the issue Thursday during a speech to AIDS activists gathered in the Capitol rotunda.

Dayton said he thinks Minnesota will be the first state to reject such a ballot question. He said the state appreciates individual differences.

"I'm just optimistic that when we get the word out we're going to have a massive voter turnout and it's going to defeat that amendment," Dayton said. "We will put Minnesota where it should be, in the forefront of progressive social change."

Dayton's speech was part of the annual lobbying day organized by the Minnesota AIDS Project.

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