UPDATE: “Seven states vote to ban gay marriage”

ABC News: Eight states had ban-gay-marriage amendments on their ballots; Idaho, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia joined Wisconsin in approving them, while results were pending in Arizona, Colorado and South Dakota. Similar amendments have passed previously in all 20 states to consider them.

News by state:

Idaho :

Idaho voters have approved a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Widespread support for the ban was evident in early returns Tuesday, with more than 70 percent of voters in favor of the amendment.

The amendment bans not only gay marriage but also any domestic legal union outside of traditional marriages.

South Carolina:

Voters have approved all five constitutional amendments on the ballot today.

The amendment that got most of the attention would ban gay marriage in South Carolina. Gay marriage already is illegal in the state. Supporters say the amendment will prevent judges from recognizing gay marriages.

Tennessee:

Tennessee voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriages Tuesday.

With 75 percent of precincts reporting, the amendment was approved by 1,152,209 voters, or 81 percent, compared to 272,787 votes against, or 19 percent.

The ballot question had to be approved by a supermajority that equals more than half the voters in the gubernatorial election. It was obvious Tuesday that it would clear that hurdle.

State law already defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman, but the amendment should make it safe from court challenge.

The strongest support for the amendment came from married women with children, small-town residents, weekly churchgoers and conservatives, according to an Associated Press exit poll.

Virginia:

Virginia voters were decisive Tuesday when they approved a constitutional amendment that bans same-sex marriage and civil unions, despite opposition in Northern Virginia.

The measure passed by a large margin, supported by more than 58 percent of the voters with 97 percent of the precincts reporting. Only 42 percent opposed it.

Wisconsin:

Wisconsin voters passed a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage on Tuesday, squelching the hopes of gay-rights activists who hoped for their first-ever victory over such a measure in a state vote.

With 50 percent of precincts reporting, 57.5 percent of voters favored the amendment banning state recognition of gay marriage and any type of civil union similar to marriage, according to unofficial returns.

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