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PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, BY DELETING SECTION 15, ARTICLE XVII WHICH PROVIDES THAT THE ONLY LAWFUL DOMESTIC UNION RECOGNIZED IN THIS STATE IS A MARRIAGE BETWEEN ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. It is proposed that the Constitution of this State be amended by deleting Section 15, Article XVII, which reads:
"Section 15. A marriage between one man and one woman is the only lawful domestic union that shall be valid or recognized in this State. This State and its political subdivisions shall not create a legal status, right, or claim respecting any other domestic union, however denominated. This State and its political subdivisions shall not recognize or give effect to a legal status, right, or claim created by another jurisdiction respecting any other domestic union, however denominated. Nothing in this section shall impair any right or benefit extended by the State or its political subdivisions other than a right or benefit arising from a domestic union that is not valid or recognized in this State. This section shall not prohibit or limit parties, other than the State or its political subdivisions, from entering into contracts or other legal instruments."
SECTION 2. The proposed amendment must be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for representatives. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or written on the ballot:
"Must the Constitution of this State be amended so as to delete Section 15, Article XVII, which provides that the only lawful domestic union recognized in this State is a marriage between one man and one woman?
Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'No'."
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