States reject gay wedlock, California backs stem cells

Americans in 11 states voted to prohibit gay marriage in one of several bitterly contested issue-oriented initiatives voted on in parallel with the presidential election, narrowly won by President George W. Bush.

California also followed the lead of its Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in backing a $6 billion measure for stem cell research and rejecting measures that would have expanded gambling in the nation's most populous state.

In Tuesday's balloting, Ohio, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Michigan, North Dakota, Arkansas, Montana, Utah and Oklahoma solidly backed state constitutional amendments to define marriage as a union between man and a woman.

The issue sparked lively debate after San Francisco married more than 4,000 gay couples over a month period starting in February and prompted Mr Bush to call for a US constitutional amendment to bar gay marriage. That move appeared aimed at bolstering support among his conservative base and could have helped in his reelection effort, analysts say.

Oregon, where more than 3,000 same-sex couples married in March, backed an anti-gay marriage amendment by a margin of 56 to 44 per cent. Those marriages remain under court review, although California's Supreme Court has ruled that Mayor Gavin Newsom exceeded his authority in allowing the weddings.

"There was obviously an agenda by the cultural conservatives to make this a wedge issue in the campaign," Mayor Newsom told Reuters. "It failed to reach the intensity that they had hoped for. Nonetheless it is obviously indicative of the mood of the public."

He said it would take a while to get public approval for gay marriage, much as with interracial marriage years ago.

Activists spent hundreds of millions of dollars - an estimated $200 million in California alone - on 163 state voter initiatives in 34 states tackling issues as varied as tobacco taxes, electoral changes and tort reform.

In Arizona, 56 per cent of voters backed a controversial proposition that targets illegal immigrants entering the southwestern US border state from Mexico. The measure requires individuals to prove eligibility when applying for state and local public benefits. Workers not doing so could face four months in jail and a $750 fine.

A legal challenge is expected. California passed a similar measure a decade ago only to have it struck down in court.

"This is a big win for the people of Arizona," said Randy Pullen, chairman of Yes on Proposition 200. "It sends a message to our political leaders that they need to do something about illegal immigration and what it's doing to the country."

In Colorado, voters rejected a measure that would have enabled the state to divide its nine electoral votes proportionally based on the popular vote.

In some states, television stations aired relentless initiative ads. The late actor Christopher Reeve spoke for California's stem cell initiative allocating $3 billion for research and $3 billion to finance the bond. "Please support Prop 71. And stand up for those who can't," he said.

One recurring issue in the state initiatives are casinos. In California, Governor Schwarzenegger helped easily defeat two measures related to Indian gaming by arguing: "The Indians are ripping us off."

"When the people flex their muscles, the state gets much stronger," the former bodybuilder said. "Now, let's party."

California voters narrowly rejected two measures to ease sentencing for criminals who have committed three crimes and to require smaller firms to pay health care costs for workers.

Miami-Dade and Broward counties in south Florida were narrowly divided as to allowing slot machines at racing establishments. With 98.8 per cent of the votes counted, 49.9 percent backed such gaming. Nebraska decided against allowing casino-style gambling, and Washington state did not authorize an expansion of some non-Indian gaming.

Floridians backed a measure that would require minors to gain parental consent to get an abortion, and a boost in the minimum wage to $6.15, a dollar above the national level.

Colorado and Montana backed sharp hikes on cigarette taxes. Montana backed medical marijuana, but Alaska rejected a full legalisation of the weed.

Alabama included the promotion of shrimp in its state constitution, as did Louisiana and Montana to enshrine the citizen right to hunt and fish.

Voters in Alaska and Maine rejected measures that would have outlawed using food to bait bears out of the woods for photography or hunting.