An amendment to California’s constitution that would remove outdated language that defines only marriages between a man and a woman as valid was leading in early polls but narrowly missed a decision Tuesday night.

The bill would amend the state constitution to recognize the “fundamental right to marry regardless of sex or race.”

The previous definition of marriage dates back to 2008, when voters approved a ban on same-sex marriage with Proposition 8. That decision has since been overturned in court, leaving liberal California with continued protection of marriage rights at the federal level. LGBTQ+ rights.

But proponents of Prop. 3 said precautions were needed and warned of a possible ruling by the Supreme Court’s conservative majority. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump also helped make the appointment.

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, ending the constitutional right to abortion, longtime conservative Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in a concurring opinion that the court should rule on similar legal grounds. , for example, that judgments based on the same legal basis should also be reconsidered. Sexual marriage and access to contraception.

In response to the Dobbs decision, LGBTQ+ rights groups such as Equality California argued that states should properly enshrine the right to marriage in the constitution, just like the right to abortion. The measure was supported by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The California Family Council objected, citing religious reasons and arguing that it would be “harmful to families and society.”

California is home Largest LGBTQ+ population in the country.