The next state to legalize same-sex marriage?

[Walloon]

@Really_Not_All_That_Bright

There’s no way that’s constitutional.

Right?

On what grounds would it be unconstitutional? It applies to any marriage that would not be allowed in Wisconsin, and does not single out, say, interracial marriages:

The following may be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 9 months or both:

…Any person residing and intending to continue to reside in this state who goes outside the state and there contracts a marriage prohibited or declared void under the laws of this state.

[Kyla]

Hilarious new sign that NOM NOM NOM has their collective head up their collective ass.

Awesome. I’d be angrier if it weren’t so funny.

[Ludovic]

@Walloon

On what grounds would it be unconstitutional? It applies to any marriage that would not be allowed in Wisconsin, and does not single out, say, interracial marriages:

Surely if the Full Faith and Credit clause means anything, it means a state cannot put someone in jail for doing something in another state that’s completely legal in that state.

Plus, even if you’ve murdered someone in another state, you can’t be tried and sent to jail in another state for it! Gay marriage. Worse than murder.

[Really_Not_All_That_Bright]

@Walloon

On what grounds would it be unconstitutional? It applies to any marriage that would not be allowed in Wisconsin, and does not single out, say, interracial marriages:

It’s an attempt to enforce the laws of the state beyond the state’s boundaries.

I can see where they could make it a criminal offense to be in an illegal marriage while in Wisconsin, but not how they can make it a criminal offense to enter into an illegal marriage outside Wisconsin.

[Walloon]

@Ludovic

Surely if the Full Faith and Credit clause means anything, it means a state cannot put someone in jail for doing something in another state that’s completely legal in that state.

Under the logic of the statute, the crime is not contracting the marriage (there is no long-arm provision), it’s returning to Wisconsin to reside with an illegal marriage.

[Really_Not_All_That_Bright]

@Walloon

Under the logic of the statute, the crime is not contracting the marriage (there is no long-arm provision), it’s returning to Wisconsin to reside with an illegal marriage.

Under the logic, perhaps, but not the wording. According to the bald text you quoted, the crime is not returning, but entering into the marriage while intending to return. In other words, the crime is committed at the moment the marriage license is issued, not at the moment you step over the border.

Nitpicking? Sure, but I presume that the Wisconsin legislature has as many lawyers in it as any other.

[Walloon]

Since there is no long-arm provision in the statute, your interpretation cannot be correct.

[Walloon]

Wisconsin Statutes Annotated 765.04:

(2) Proof that a person contracting a marriage in another jurisdiction was (a) domiciled in this state within 12 months prior to the marriage, and resumed residence in this state within 18 months after the date of departure therefrom, or (b) at all times after departure from this state, and until returning maintained a place of residence within this state, shall be prima facie evidence that at the time such marriage was contracted the person resided and intended to continue to reside in this state.

[Really_Not_All_That_Bright]

Interesting… all you have to do is stay away for 19 months, then. Can’t imagine it would be that hard to avoid the temptation to go back to Wisconsin.

[Mr.Excellent]

@alphaboi867

Democrats control the RI House of Representatives 69 to 6 and the RI Senate 33 to 5.

These are Rhode Island Democrats, though. They tend towards social conservatism.

[Sunspace]

@palindromemordnilap

Utah.

Well, when three or more people are in a marriage, at least two of them must be the same sex, right?

Not necessarily. I understand that there’s a movement to legally recognize intersex people as a third legal gender category.

[PatriotGrrrl]

Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passes NH Senate

Manchester, New Hampshire News and Weather - WMUR Channel 9

[Boyo_Jim]

@palindromemordnilap

Utah.

Well, when three or more people are in a marriage, at least two of them must be the same sex, right?

Not necessar… Oh, never mind. You did specify humans.

[Fish]

Hot damn. I hope it gets passed in New Hampshire. I just read that a judiciary committee in Maine was sending a strong recommendation along to the Senate and House there soon.

This is like watching a tumble of very large dominoes. In geologic time.