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Arkansas group seeks to overturn state’s ban on same-sex marriage

Arkansas group seeks to overturn state’s ban on same-sex marriage

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A group is asking the Arkansas attorney general’s office to approve language for a ballot measure next year that would repeal the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.

Arkansans for Equality on Thursday submitted a proposed constitutional amendment to the attorney general’s office.

The group’s proposal would repeal an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution that voters approved in 2004 to ban same-sex marriage.

The AG must certify the language of the proposal before the group can begin collecting the 78,133 signatures from registered voters needed to place it on the 2014 ballot.

The group submitted the measure the day after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a provision of a federal law denying federal benefits to married gay couples. Justices also cleared the way for gay marriages to resume in California.

The 2004 constitutional ban was approved by 75 percent of voters.

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