The Alaska Family Coalition was formed. Members include the former mayor of Achorage, George Sullivan. Superior Court Judge Sen Tan heard arguments to both the AkCLU and Rev. Bess challenges to Measure 2. He issued his judgment immediately after hearing the oral arguments, so that the case could be heard by the Alaska Supreme Court before the NOV-3 ballots must be printed. Attorney Wagstaff argued that Measure 2 is really a revision to the constitution, not an amendment.
Revisions are beyond the authority of the legislature to place on the ballot.
Judge Tan rejected this argument. He also ruled that the existing ballot description was acceptable. The amendment would say that to be valid, a marriage may exist only between one man and one woman. It would also say that no provision of the Alaska Constitution may be interpreted by a court to to require the state to recognize or permit marriage between individuals of the same sex. It is the first time that an identified group has been stripped of constitutional rights in Alaska, and assigned second-class citizen status.