HAWAII: Court Rejects Bid To Stop Governor From Signing Marriage Bill

The lawsuit to stop Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie from signing the marriage equality bill has been slapped down.

The lawsuit, filed by Rep. Bob McDermott, a Republican, centered on a 1998 ballot issue on same-sex marriage. Gov. Neil Abercrombie and many legislators maintain the meaning of the issue presented on the 1998 ballot gave the State Legislature the power to make all future decisions on same sex marriage, but McDermott said the adopted Constitutional Amendment, and official instructions from the Office of Elections, clearly set limits on legislative authority. McDermott also said the people clearly “thought” they were voting on a legal definition of marriage as between opposite sexes only.

The Hawaii House is due to make its third and final vote today. (Tipped by JMG reader Christopher)