AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION TO PROVIDE that Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article 14 of the North Carolina Constitution is amended by adding the following new section:
"Sec. 6.  Marriage.
Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State.  This section does not prohibit a private party from entering into contracts with another private party; nor does this section prohibit courts from adjudicating the rights of private parties pursuant to such contracts."
SECTION 2.  The amendment set out in Section 1 of this act shall be submitted to the qualified voters of the State at a statewide election to be held on the date of the first primary in 2012, which election shall be conducted under the laws then governing elections in the State. Ballots, voting systems, or both may be used in accordance with Chapter 163 of the General Statutes. The question to be used in the voting systems and ballots shall be:
"[ ] FOR	[ ] AGAINST
Constitutional amendment to provide that marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State."
SECTION 3.  If a majority of votes cast on the question are in favor of the amendment set out in Section 1 of this act, the State Board of Elections shall certify the amendment to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall enroll the amendment so certified among the permanent records of that office.
SECTION 4.  The amendment set out in Section 1 of this act is effective upon certification.
SECTION 5.  This act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 14th day of September, 2011.

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		 Walter H. Dalton
	 President of the Senate

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		 Thom Tillis
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives