Gay marriage ban likely to go on Florida ballot

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Sponsors of a proposal to ban gay marriage in Florida said Thursday they have gathered enough signatures to put the measure before voters next year.

If the required 611,009 signatures are verified, the proposed amendment to the state constitution would go on the November 2008 ballot.

The state Division of Elections Web site showed the group was still 253 signatures short of its goal. John Stemberger, an Orlando lawyer who heads a coalition of groups sponsoring the proposal, said elections officials had not yet verified all the signatures but he expected them to by the end of the day.