Did you know that while same-sex marriage has been legal in California for more than a decade, the state constitution still says it is prohibited?

That's why some advocates for LGBTQ rights are asking voters to remove the outdated language once and for all in Proposition 3.

In 2004, when then San Francisco Mayor, Gavin Newsom issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples, it shocked the nation, and within months, the California Supreme Court shut it down.

In 2008, California voters approved a constitutional amendment called Proposition 8, defining marriage as strictly between a man and a woman.

A legal battle ensued.

In 2013, a federal court allowed same-sex marriage to resume in California, and the US Supreme Court legalized gay marriage nationwide in 2015.

As a result, Proposition 8 is now a zombie law, something that is virtually unenforceable but still remains on the books in California.

A couple of state lawmakers introduced Prop 3 last year to remove the language.

Supporters argue that establishing a constitutional right to same-sex marriage would guard against future Supreme Court rulings that could undermine it, just like when Roe v Wade was overturned in 2022.

Opponents to the ballot measure, however, argue the proposition would threaten family values and that children do best when raised by both mothers and fathers.

They also say the measure would override state marriage laws, even though an analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Analysis Office found no such thing.

Vote yes on Prop 3 if you want the California Constitution to reflect current federal laws on who can marry.

Vote no on Prop 3 if you want to leave the language on the books.