Initial results show North Carolina has approved a constitutional amendment¹ effectively banning same-sex marriage or civil unions.

初步点票结果显示，北卡罗来纳州已经通过一项宪法修正案以禁止同性恋婚姻或联合会。

The issue raised voter turnout on an otherwise uncontested primary day.

With 74% of precincts（周围地区） reporting, more than 60% had voted to strengthen the gay marriage ban, with just under 40% opposing it.

Recent polling had suggested the ban would pass, defining marriage as only between a man and a woman.

North Carolina law already bans gay marriage but the vote enshrines this in the constitution.

Recent comments in favour of gay marriage by US Vice-President Joe Biden had reignited debate over the issue.

President Barack Obama has not taken a position on gay marriage, with his views described as "evolving".

Days before the primary, high-profile supporters on both sides attempted to make their views heard.

Former President Bill Clinton recorded phone messages urging voters to reject the amendment.

Meanwhile, a statement in support of the ban by the Reverend Billy Graham appeared in 14 North Carolina newspapers over the weekend.

Early ballots²

Voting in North Carolina ended at 19:30 EST (23:30 GMT) on Tuesday, and the state had already received over 500,000 early votes and absentee（缺席者） ballots.

Joe Easterling, who described himself as a devout³ Christian⁴, told the Associated Press he voted for the amendment.

"I think it is important that the state of North Carolina's laws are compatible with the laws of nature but, more importantly, with the laws of God," Mr Easterling said.

Another supporter told the Charlotte Observer: "Our church has taken a stand on this."

Linda Toanone, an opponent of the amendment, argued that "everybody should have the same rights as everyone else. If you're gay, lesbian, straight - whatever".

With the passage of the amendment, North Carolina becomes the 29th state to use its state constitution to explicitly⁵ ban gay unions.

While including a ban in the constitution would make it more difficult to overturn than the existing law, one state legislator said changing times would eventually undermine the measure.

"It's a generational issue," State House Speaker Thom Tillis told a student group at North Carolina State University in March. "If it passes, I think it will be repealed⁶ within 20 years."