Arlington, Va. – Pastor Ben Purves of the Occoquan Bible Church in Prince William County has filed a lawsuit seeking to stop Question 2 from appearing on the November 3 ballot. The suit alleges that state officials did not follow proper legal steps when placing the amendment before voters.
Legal challenge focuses on procedure, not policy
The lawsuit, filed by the Founding Freedoms Law Center, does not dispute the substance of the amendment – which would remove Virginia’s constitutional ban on same‑sex marriage – but argues that the question was improperly certified for the ballot. Purves says the process violated state law, and he urges the courts to intervene before Election Day.
Pastor Purves cites biblical definition of marriage
“Going back to the beginning of creation, God created marriage; He defined it; it belongs to Him,” Purves told reporters. “It doesn’t belong to us to reshape it in whatever way we would like.” He added that Question 2 would replace the biblical definition of marriage – a union between a man and a woman as described in Genesis – with language that allows any two qualified people to marry.
Supporters argue the amendment reflects legal reality
Del. Kirk McPike, the Alexandria lawmaker who led the effort to place Question 2 on the ballot, says the amendment is about correcting a discrepancy between Virginia’s constitution and the law. “We want our constitution to reflect the values of Virginia’s people,” McPike said. “Virginia is for lovers, but we’re also for families, and that includes all families.” He described the measure as removing discriminatory language and establishing an affirmative right for any two qualified adults to marry.
Background on Virginia’s marriage ban
Although the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same‑sex marriage nationwide, Virginia’s state constitution still contains language banning such unions. If voters approve Question 2, that ban would be eliminated, aligning the state constitution with federal law.
Election timeline
Early voting in Virginia began on September 18 and will run through Saturday, October 31. The lawsuit is not expected to be heard by a judge before Election Day, meaning the question will likely remain on the ballot unless a court issues an emergency order.
What voters need to know
Virginia voters will see a simple yes‑or‑no question on the ballot: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to remove the ban on same‑sex marriage, allowing two adults to marry regardless of sex? The measure does not change any other aspects of marriage law; it merely updates the constitutional language.
Both sides of the debate are urging voters to consider the legal and moral implications before casting their ballots. The outcome will determine whether Virginia’s highest legal document reflects the post‑Obergefell reality.
Original reporting: Arlington County | FOX 5 DC — read the source article.
