Dayton symbolically vetoes same-sex marriage ballot question

Governor Mark Dayton says he's taking symbolic action to veto a ballot question that would define marriage as between one man and one woman in the state constitution.

Dayton called the measure mean spirited, divisive and un-American.

"Although I do not have the power to prevent this divisive and destructive constitutional amendment from appearing on the Minnesota ballot in November 2012, the Legislature sent it to me in the form of a bill," Dayton said. "Thus, symbolic as it may be, I am exercising my legal responsibility to either sign it or veto it. Without question, I am vetoing it."

The measure will go on the ballot anyway, and the question does not require an override vote to stay alive. Dayton said he would actively campaign against the matter in the run-up to the 2012 election.

Here's Dayton's veto letter:

Amendment Veto Letter

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