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A petition drive to ban same-sex "marriage" in Florida is less than half way toward reaching its goal with a Feb. 1 deadline looming, even as conservatives and some church leaders make a last effort to get the measure on the November ballot.
The proposed constitutional amendment, which has the support of conservative Christian groups, has received the support of 230,000 voters who have signed petition as of Tuesday. However 600,000 total signatures are required by the deadline.
“This is a Herculean task," said John Stemberger, campaign chairman for the Florida4Marriage group, according to Florida Today.
The drive to change the state constitution so that only marriages between one man and woman received attention from over 300 pastors who met with local and national conservative leaders to ask their congregations to participate in collecting signatures. Currently, 19 states have passed similar amendments.
Florida is among several states driving to place marriage amendments on state ballots. Virginia was virtually assured of it after the state senate approved an amendment. Colorado traditional marriage supporters may begin their drive by the end of this month. Supporters of such measures say they are added insurance against judges who would overturn current marriage laws that limit marriage to heterosexual couples.
"This is the only way to protect marriage from redefinition by activist judges, such as those who legalized same-sex marriage in Massachusetts," said Dr. Hayes Wicker, President of the Florida Baptist State Convention in a letter to the Florida Baptist Witness.
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"We are not being 'political,’" he said, “but taking a stand to responsibly shepherd our people in the right direction as we seek to become salt and light."
Wicker, who is also a pastor, encouraged each person who supports the measure to contact ten others by distributing petitions. He also urged churches to set up signup tables after worship services.
On Wednesday, Mathew Staver, President of the Orlando, Fla.-based Liberty Counsel urged Floridians who support the amendment to “take immediate action” to ensure that enough signatures are collected in the remaining days. He also asked that out-of-state supporters pray and consider volunteering their time to help spread the word.
According to Stemberger, the collection effort depends on county election supervisors who must verify signatures before they can go to the Florida Secretary of State's office.
The petitions must be turned in person local County Supervisor of Elections Offices by the deadline.
For more information including details on submitting petitions, visit: www.florida4marriage.org.
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