Ark. AG Rejects Wording of Proposed Ballot Measure to Legalize Gay Marriage

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has rejected the wording of a ballot proposal that would legalize gay marriage in Arkansas.

On Tuesday, McDaniel said the language was unclear on the proposed Arkansas Marriage Equality Amendment. The proposal by Jennifer Pierce would amend the state Constitution to say that marriage consists of the union between two persons regardless of gender.

Pierce's proposal also states that no member of the clergy or religious organization would be required to perform marriage ceremonies.

Arkansas now has a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. McDaniel said the language in Pierce's proposal didn't adequately explain what effect the measure would have on current law.

Last month, McDaniel rejected the wording on a similar constitutional amendment proposal from Arkansans for Equality.