The vote on Proposition 8 was the most expensive election battle over a moral and social issue ever to take place in the United States. Nearly $80 million was contributed and spent, with more than 70,000 individuals making donations to the “YES on 8” side alone. Of Californians registered to vote, more than 76 percent participated in the democratic process, the highest turnout since 1980!    

In several reports since the election, the unsuccessful “NO on 8” campaign has been scrutinized. Reasons for their loss include early polling that showed same-sex marriage with a huge lead, lulling that side into complacency. Responses of shock have come from the homosexual community, which fully expected so-called “progressive” California to support same-sex marriage. 

On the other hand, the “YES on 8” side came together in a grassroots turnout never before seen in California. The meaning and purpose of marriage was stressed, and theological differences were overlooked. From reformed to Pentecostal, evangelical Protestants united. The California Catholic Conference of Bishops endorsed the amendment and Catholic laypeople responded with activated passion. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints committed to help, and Mormons throughout the state took to the streets. 

Members of conservative and orthodox Jewish organizations, such as Agudath Israel and the Jewish Union, promoted the amendment through the distribution of “YES on 8” literature. The religious communities of Koreans, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russians, Armenians and Latinos reached out to their broad neighborhoods. And of all ethnic populations, African Americans were the strongest voting block for traditional marriage.

In all, roughly 150,000 people publicly served the cause, letting citizens know that if they favored protecting traditional marriage, they were not alone. Tens of thousands more people actively promoted the “YES on 8” campaign via telephone calls, and it is estimated that 12 million Californians were called, seeking their “YES” vote on Proposition 8. Still more committed to consistent prayer and fasting, asking for God’s direct intervention into the hearts and minds of Californians.           

State after state, when people have had opportunity to vote on the issue, traditional marriage has been protected. In fact, constitutional amendments protecting the historic definition of marriage were also passed in Arizona and Florida on Nov. 4. Thirty states have now acted—by votes of the people—to place traditional marriage into their constitutions.

Proposition 8’s success was the second time the people of California protected the state’s legal definition of marriage. Proposition 22, passed by the people in 2000, was overruled by the California Supreme Court on May 15 of this year. At the same time, the marriage amendment initiative had qualified for the November ballot. Although the Supreme Court of California could have refrained from action and allowed government “by the people” to take place through the election process, the court instead decreed that same-sex marriage was the new law of the land. Between mid-June and Nov. 4, roughly 18,000 homosexual couples were legally married in California.

Historically it has been through the courts that homosexuals have made their legal advances, and on the day following the decisive vote of the people, proponents of homosexual marriage filed lawsuits in the California Supreme Court. The court will hear those arguments in March, and a decision will come from the court no later than June. 

Fortunately, the proponents of Prop. 8 were granted the right to intervene as a party in the case. Without this decision the only defense for Prop. 8 would have come from Attorney General Jerry Brown, who opposes the people’s marriage amendment.

Instead, Andrew Pugno, general counsel to the “YES on 8” campaign, will manage the legal preparations, assisted by other, excellent legal minds. Ken Starr, dean of the Pepperdine University School of Law and former Solicitor General of the United States, will serve as the Appellate Attorney, arguing the case before the Supreme Court.

After building such tremendous momentum up to the day of the vote, post-election activity has slowed. However, the marriage coalition remains in communication, preparing to respond to the decisions of the court and the threats of future legal action by the opposition. Californians committed to the meaning and purpose of traditional marriage and family have experienced a victory, clearly demonstrating that by their involvement our culture can be protected from wholesale secularization.  It is imperative that we continue to participate in the selection of skilled, godly people for school boards, cities and counties, and state and federal leadership.  In addition, our elected representatives must be held up in prayer, and held accountable as our representatives. When we improve at this, we may not need to rely on initiatives for our protection.

Prentice is president of the California Family Council and headed Protect Marriage, the grassroots movement that successfully passed Proposition 8.