Nevada Is First State to Protect Same-Sex Marriage in Constitution

The majority of Nevadans voted to redefine marriage as "between couples, regardless of gender."

Nevada has become the nation's first state to protect same-sex marriage in its Constitution.

In the Tuesday election, voters repealed a 2002 amendment that had defined marriage as between one man and one woman.

"Marriage would be defined as between couples, regardless of gender, though religious organizations and clergypersons would have the right to refuse to solemnize a marriage," read Question 2.

The New York Times reports that 61.2 percent (691,661 voters) supported this new definition of marriage, versus 38.8 percent (438,318 voters), with 75 percent of votes reported.

The 2015 Supreme Court decision, Obergefell v. Hodges, brought marriage equality to every U.S. state — although its future is in doubt after the formation of a 6-3 conservative majority following Amy Coney Barrett's swearing-in.

Since the majority of states still have same-sex marriage bans on the books, Nevada's move could be seen as the first proactive measure to protect it on behalf of voters. Previously, the state legislature voted twice to include the measure on the ballot.

Support for same-sex marriage is at a record high in the U.S. A new Gallup poll said 67 percent of Americans are in favor of it, a national figure just a few points higher than Nevada's numbers.