Swiss cast ballots on whether to allow same-sex marriage
ABC News
The Swiss are casting final ballots in a referendum on whether same-sex couples can be allowed to marry
GENEVA -- Voters in Switzerland are casting final ballots in a referendum on whether same-sex couples can be allowed to marry.
In-person voting was taking place Sunday morning across the rich Alpine country to cap the latest of Switzerland's regular referendums that give the public a direct say in policymaking. Most ballots are cast by mail, and polls close at noon local time (1000 GMT).
Switzerland's parliament and the executive Federal Council support the “Marriage for All” measure, for which the most recent voter polls showed solid backing. Switzerland has authorized same-sex civil partnerships since 2007.
Supporters say passage would put same-sex partners on equal legal footing with heterosexual couples such as by allowing them to adopt children together and facilitating citizenship for same-sex spouses. It would also permit lesbian couples to utilize regulated sperm donation.
