From Deseret News archives:

'Don't Amend' is on a roll

Amendment 3 foes outdo supporters by $500,000

Published: Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004 12:04 a.m. MDT
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So far the campaign to kill a proposed state constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage has raised more than $535,000 — a half million more than amendment supporters have raised.

Amendment 3, which will be on the ballot Nov. 2, defines marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman and prevents any other relationship from being given the same legal effect as a marriage.

As of Sept. 15, Don't Amend Alliance raised $535,495 and spent $281,190, according to a finance report filed with the State Elections Office. The political issues committee has raised just over $280,000 since its first finance report on June 1.

The more recently formed campaigns in favor of the amendment have together raised around $16,480 and spent just under $10,000.

The State Elections Office requires any political issues committee that receives more than $750 or spends more than $50 to report its finances. Individual contributions of more than $50 must be itemized.

Amendment supporters aren't concerned about being outspent to date, Defense of Marriage Director Gayle Ruzicka said. "They are going to spend a lot of money, but we've got a lot of people."

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Her organization raised $7,635 and spent $6,635. Nearly all of its contributions since it was formed last month have been from its co-chairs, Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, and Rep. LaVar Christensen, R-Draper.

"Money doesn't vote, people vote," Ruzicka said. "We'll use the grass-roots people to do what has to be done."

Money may be on Don't Amend's side, but the most recent Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll found that 63 percent of Utah residents support Amendment 3.

Don't Amend campaign manager Scott McCoy said some 917 individuals have contributed to the campaign, and he's identified some 15,000 supporters.

While much of Don't Amend's finances have gone to fund the campaign's nine paid staffers, there are also plans for a media campaign.

"In October you'll see us, and you'll know when it happens," McCoy said. The goal is to tell voters that "Amendment 3 is hurtful to their friends, families and neighbors."

Susan Roylance, president of Yes! for Marriage, which has raised $8,845, said, "We're out to win, not out to spend a lot of money. It's obvious money is pouring into the other side. The people of Utah who want to protect marriage have to realize it will take a lot of effort."

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