Tedger.com

¹ Today the Iowa Supreme Court struck down the Iowa Defense of Marriage Act recognizing an Equal Protection claim of the plaintiffs. Not only did the Court strike down the law but it did so unanimously, not a single justice wished to decent on the ruling opinion.

The next step however is likely to be the inevitable attempt to amend the Iowa Constitution. In Iowa this is an incredibly difficult task. To amend the Constitution the measure must pass in both houses of the State Legislature in two consecutive legislatures (there has to be an election in between). Even then this only puts it on a ballot measure. The process at it’s fastest will take years, and that’s if the legislature is cooperative. The Speaker of the Iowa House and the Majority Leader have both spoken strongly in favor of the ruling today, it’s unlikely that the legislature will move quickly, if at all.

I really don’t have much more to say. I’m proud of my state for so strongly upholding civil liberties. The opinion is incredibly easy to read and explains the legal principles very well. If you’re interested in reading it you can find it here.