Voters approve amendment banning gay marriages

The Associated Press

MILWAUKEE — 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 16 percent of precincts reporting, 61.4 percent of voters favored the constitutional amendment banning state recognition of gay marriage and any type of civil union similar to marriage, according to unofficial returns.