Judge rules anti-gay marriage amendment off La. ballot
By JANET McCONNAUGHEY
Associated Press writer


A state judge has ruled that the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage will not appear before voters on the Sept. 18 ballot. NEW ORLEANS -- A proposed state constitutional ban on same-sex marriages and civil unions cannot go on the Sept. 18 ballot, a judge ruled Friday.

Acting on a suit contending that such a ban would violate the constitution, Civil District Judge Christopher Bruno stuck down the balloting, at least temporarily, on the grounds that Sept. 18 is not a true statewide election date.

Louisiana already has a law stating that marriage can only be heterosexual. Proponents want to protect that law by passing the constitutional amendment.