Are there more states with equal marriage through voters or courts?

[Donald Ian Rankin]

What is the ratio of states that have voted for gay marriage vs states where bans have been overturned by the courts?

Given that the courts seem to be overturning bans pretty consistently, is it high enough that Americans should seriously be considering getting bans onto state statute books - the more egregiously unconstitutional and discriminatory the better - as the quickest route to legalising gay marriage more widely?

[Major Nikon]

1. It's definitely a strategy that has backfired in a big way

The GOP used gay marriage ballot initiatives in order to capitalize on homophobia. Now that there's been a dramatic public opinion turnaround on this issue, I think it's time for the Democrats to turn that strategy around. They should be looking at states where it makes sense to put legalization ballot initiatives and they should be targeting GOP politicians who supported gay marriage bans.

[dsc]

2. The following states did so via voting

Maine, Maryland, Washington. The following did so via legislation Maine, Maryland, Washington, New Hampshire, Vermont, Illinois, Rhode Island and DC. The rest were court order. Note that Maine, Maryland, and Washington passed the legislation and then the voters ratified it at the ballot box. On edit every state which doesn't have marriage has at least a law banning it and most have amendments.