By The Associated Press

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — The Latest on Romania’s vote to change the definition of marriage (all times local): 9:45 p.m. Election officials in Romania say too few voters participated in a weekend referendum that sought…

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — The Latest on Romania’s vote to change the definition of marriage (all times local):

Election officials in Romania say too few voters participated in a weekend referendum that sought to put a same-sex marriage ban into the country’s constitution, so the vote is void.

The Central Election Bureau reported after polls closed Sunday that 20.41 percent of registered voters cast ballots on the proposed amendment. The referendum needed at least 30 percent turnout to be valid.

The failed amendment would have changed the definition of family in Romania’s Constitution to make marriage a union between a man and a woman instead of between “spouses.” Same-sex marriage is already illegal in Romania.

Opponents had encouraged voters to boycott the referendum. The Romanian Orthodox Church supported the constitutional revision.

Polls have closed in Romania after two days of voting on a constitutional amendment that would make it harder to legalize same-sex marriage.

But the weekend referendum to redefine marriage failed to attract large numbers of voters and risks being voided.

Elections authorities said voter turnout stood at just below 19 percent two hours before polls closed Sunday. The referendum needs a 30 percent turnout to be valid.

The proposed amendment would change the definition of family in Romania’s Constitution to make marriage a union between a man and a woman instead of between “spouses.”

Same-sex marriage is already illegal in Romania. Final voter turnout is expected later Sunday and early results Monday.

Romania’s referendum on a constitutional amendment to redefine marriage is failing to attract significant voter participation and is in danger of being voided.

Election officials said 18.87 percent of eligible voters had cast ballots as of two hours before the close of polls Sunday. The referendum that opened Saturday needs a voter turnout of at least 30 percent to be valid.

If the turnout threshold is reached, the referendum seeking to amend the Romanian Constitution to say marriage is a union between a man and a woman instead of a union between “spouses” requires a simple majority to pass.

The revision would make it harder to legalize same-sex marriages, which already are prohibited by statute in Romania.

Election officials in Romania say 15.21 percent of eligible voters had cast ballots by mid-afternoon Sunday in the country’s two-day referendum on changing the definition of marriage.

The referendum needs a voter turnout of at least 30 percent to be valid. If that turnout threshold is reached, the referendum seeking to amend the Romanian Constitution requires a simple majority to pass.

The conservative Coalition for Family that spearheaded a referendum to redefine marriage in Romania’s Constitution and make it harder to legalize same-sex marriages is blaming “disinformation” for low voter turnout.

The coalition initiated the referendum with a signature petition. Passage would amend the constitution to say marriage is a union between a man and a woman instead of a union between “two spouses.

The conservative group that spearheaded a referendum to redefine marriage in Romania’s Constitution and make it harder to legalize same-sex marriages is blaming “disinformation” for low voter turnout.

As of midday on Sunday, voter turnout was 11.67 percent. The referendum needs at least 30 percent turnout to be valid.

The Coalition for Family said in a statement that “a massive disinformation campaign” by the media, politicians and local governments was responsible for weak voter participation.

It alleged “a general boycott by all political parties” that was “primarily directed against the Christians of Romania.”

The coalition initiated the referendum with a signature petition. Passage would amend the constitution to say marriage is a union between a man and a woman instead of a union between “two spouses.

The head of the Romanian Orthodox Church is urging the faith’s adherents to vote in a referendum that would make it harder to legalize same-sex marriage, if it passes.

The church’s news agency said Patriarch Daniel called on Romanians who hadn’t yet cast ballots on Sunday to “vote before it’s too late.”

The referendum would amend the Romanian Constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman, instead of a union between two spouses.

Voter turnout of 30 percent is required for the referendum to be valid. Turnout was 11.67 percent as of midday Sunday.

Another prominent church official, Metropolitan Teofan of Moldova and Bucovina, told Romania’s Agerpres national news agency Romanians “deserved their fate” if the amendment fails.

Romania’s Central Electoral Bureau said 11.67 percent of voters had cast a ballot by lunchtime Sunday in the country’s two-day referendum on changing the definition of marriage.

The vote requires a 30 percent turnout to be valid.

The proposed amendment would change the definition of family in Romania’s Constitution to make marriage a union between a man and a woman instead of between “spouses.” Same-sex marriage is already illegal in Romania.

The conservative Coalition for Family initiated the referendum and Romanian Orthodox priests during Sunday services encouraged the faithful to vote.

Opponents say the amendment could make LGBT people feel more like second-class citizens and could discriminate against non-traditional families.

Romanians are voting for a second day on a constitutional amendment that would make it harder to legalize same-sex marriage.

The Central Electoral Bureau said 5.72 percent of voters had cast a ballot Saturday in the two-day referendum. The vote requires a 30 percent turnout to be valid.

The conservative Coalition for Family initiated the referendum, backed by the influential Romanian Orthodox Church. During Sunday services, priests are expected to encourage the faithful to vote.

The proposed amendment would change the definition of family in Romania’s Constitution to make marriage a union between a man and a woman instead of between “spouses.” Same-sex marriage is already illegal in Romania.

Opponents say the new constitutional language could make LGBT people feel more like second-class citizens and could discriminate against non-traditional families.

Copyright © 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.</s>A referendum aimed at putting same-sex marriage further out of reach in Romania was invalidated after too few voters cast ballots, election officials said.

A referendum aimed at putting same-sex marriage further out of reach in Romania was invalidated after too few voters cast ballots, election officials said.

The weekend vote on a constitutional amendment that would have changed the definition of family to make marriage a union between a man and a woman instead of between “spouses” required voter turnout of at least 30% for the result to stand.

Election officials said after polls closed that only 20.41% of eligible voters participated. The turnout threshold never was close to being reached all day, a trend which gay rights group Accept said showed citizens “want a Romania based upon democratic values”.

“We have shown that we cannot be fooled by a political agenda that urges us to hate and polarise society,” the group said.

Marriage statutes already prohibit same-sex marriage in Romania. The conservative Coalition for Family spearheaded the referendum with a signature petition, arguing that any ambiguity in the constitution needed to be eliminated.

Earlier on Sunday, the Coalition for Family blamed what it called “a massive disinformation campaign” by the media, politicians and local governments for the weak voter participation.

It alleged “a general boycott by all political parties” that was “primarily directed against the Christians of Romania”.

The influential Romanian Orthodox Church backed the amendment. Concerned about the low turnout, Patriarch Daniel urged Romanians to “vote before it’s too late”.

“We call on you to vote, to have this honour, to demonstrate this freedom and right,” he said.

Opponents say the new constitutional language could have made LGBT people feel more like second-class citizens and could discriminate against non-traditional families. They also said the amendment was unnecessary since Romanian civil law already limits marriages to a man and a woman.

In the village of Adunati-Copaceni, south of Bucharest, only 62 people had voted by mid-morning out of a total electorate of 1,147.

Priests leading services at St Mary’s Church encouraged the congregation to vote. Retired farmer Ana Buturgianu, 69, said she would heed the advice, as did Andrei Aurelian, a 53-year-old cashier.

“The vote is for us and for our children. It’s normal to have a man and a woman, not two men together,” Mr Aurelian said.

But Bucharest resident Marin Soare, 50, who was cycling through the village on Sunday, boycotted the referendum, calling it “a waste of money”.

“We already have traditional families in Romania and have done so for 2,000 years,” he said. “And there’s always been same-sex relationships.”</s>BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A referendum aimed at putting same-sex marriage further out of reach in Romania was invalidated Sunday after a quick tally showed too few voters cast ballots, election officials said. The weekend…

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A referendum aimed at putting same-sex marriage further out of reach in Romania was invalidated Sunday after a quick tally showed too few voters cast ballots, election officials said.

The weekend vote on a constitutional amendment that would have changed the definition of family to make marriage a union between a man and a woman instead of between “spouses” required voter turnout of at least 30 percent for the result to stand.

Election officials said after polls closed that only 20.41 of eligible voters participated. The turnout threshold never was close to being reached all day, a trend that gay rights group Accept said showed citizens “want a Romania based upon democratic values.”

“We have shown that we cannot be fooled by a political agenda that urges us to hate and polarize society,” the group said in a statement before the turnout number was final.

Marriage statutes already prohibit same-sex marriage in Romania. The conservative Coalition for Family spearheaded the referendum with a signature petition, arguing that any ambiguity in the constitution needed to be eliminated.

The group conceded defeat before the overall turnout from two days of balloting was announced late Sunday.

“Next time, we’ll succeed,” Coalition for Family spokesman Mihai Gheorghiu said. “Let’s be happy for this day. The Christian vote exists.”

Earlier in the day, the group issued a statement blaming the lack of enthusiasm among voters on what it called “a massive disinformation campaign” by the media, politicians and local governments.

It alleged “a general boycott by all political parties” that was “primarily directed against the Christians of Romania.”

The influential Romanian Orthodox Church backed the amendment. Concerned about the low turnout, Patriarch Daniel urged Romanians earlier Sunday to “vote before it’s too late.”

“We call on you to vote, to have this honor, to demonstrate this freedom and right,” he was quoted as saying in a statement on the news website of the Romanian church.

Opponents argued the new constitutional language could make LGBT people feel more like second-class citizens and make other non-traditional families targets of discrimination.

In the village of Adunati-Copaceni, south of Bucharest, the capital, only 62 people had voted by midmorning out of a total electorate of 1,147.

Priests leading services at St. Mary’s Church encouraged the congregation to vote. Retired farmer Ana Buturgianu, 69, said she’d heed the advice, as did Andrei Aurelian, a 53-year-old cashier.

“The vote is for us and for our children. It’s normal to have a man and a woman, not two men together,” Aurelian said.

But Bucharest resident Marin Soare, 50, who was cycling through the village Sunday, boycotted the referendum, calling it “a waste of money.”

“We already have traditional families in Romania and have done so for 2,000 years,” he said. “And there’s always been same-sex relationships.”

Copyright © 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.</s>BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A referendum aimed at putting same-sex marriage further out of reach in Romania was invalidated Sunday after a quick tally showed too few voters cast ballots, election officials said.

The weekend vote on a constitutional amendment that would have changed the definition of family to make marriage a union between a man and a woman instead of between "spouses" required voter turnout of at least 30 percent for the result to stand.

Election officials said after polls closed that only 20.41 of eligible voters participated. The turnout threshold never was close to being reached all day, a trend gay rights group Accept said showed citizens "want a Romania based upon democratic values."

"We have shown that we cannot be fooled by a political agenda that urges us to hate and polarize society," the group said in a statement before the turnout number was final.

Marriage statutes already prohibit same-sex marriage in Romania. The conservative Coalition for Family spearheaded the referendum with a signature petition, arguing that any ambiguity in the constitution needed to be eliminated.

Earlier Sunday, the Coalition for Family blamed what it called "a massive disinformation campaign" by the media, politicians and local governments for the weak voter participation.

It alleged "a general boycott by all political parties" that was "primarily directed against the Christians of Romania."

The influential Romanian Orthodox Church backed the amendment. Concerned about the low turnout, Patriarch Daniel urged Romanians earlier Sunday to "vote before it's too late."

"We call on you to vote, to have this honor, to demonstrate this freedom and right," he was quoted as saying in a statement on the news website of the Romanian church.

Opponents say the new constitutional language could make LGBT people feel more like second-class citizens and could discriminate against non-traditional families. They also said the amendment was unnecessary since Romanian civil law already limits marriages to a man and a woman.

In the village of Adunati-Copaceni, south of Bucharest, the capital, only 62 people had voted by midmorning out of a total electorate of 1,147.

Priests leading services at St. Mary's Church encouraged the congregation to vote. Retired farmer Ana Buturgianu, 69, said she'd heed the advice, as did Andrei Aurelian, a 53-year-old cashier.

"The vote is for us and for our children. It's normal to have a man and a woman, not two men together," Aurelian said.

But Bucharest resident Marin Soare, 50, who was cycling through the village Sunday, boycotted the referendum, calling it "a waste of money."

"We already have traditional families in Romania and have done so for 2,000 years," he said. "And there's always been same-sex relationships."</s>BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — The Latest on Romania's vote to change the definition of marriage (all times local):

Election officials in Romania say too few voters participated in a weekend referendum that sought to put a same-sex marriage ban into the country's constitution, so the vote is void.

The Central Election Bureau reported after polls closed Sunday that 20.41 percent of registered voters cast ballots on the proposed amendment. The referendum needed at least 30 percent turnout to be valid.

The failed amendment would have changed the definition of family in Romania's Constitution to make marriage a union between a man and a woman instead of between "spouses." Same-sex marriage is already illegal in Romania.

Opponents had encouraged voters to boycott the referendum. The Romanian Orthodox Church supported the constitutional revision.

Polls have closed in Romania after two days of voting on a constitutional amendment that would make it harder to legalize same-sex marriage.

But the weekend referendum to redefine marriage failed to attract large numbers of voters and risks being voided.

Elections authorities said voter turnout stood at just below 19 percent two hours before polls closed Sunday. The referendum needs a 30 percent turnout to be valid.

The proposed amendment would change the definition of family in Romania's Constitution to make marriage a union between a man and a woman instead of between "spouses."

Same-sex marriage is already illegal in Romania. Final voter turnout is expected later Sunday and early results Monday.

Romania's referendum on a constitutional amendment to redefine marriage is failing to attract significant voter participation and is in danger of being voided.

Election officials said 18.87 percent of eligible voters had cast ballots as of two hours before the close of polls Sunday. The referendum that opened Saturday needs a voter turnout of at least 30 percent to be valid.

If the turnout threshold is reached, the referendum seeking to amend the Romanian Constitution to say marriage is a union between a man and a woman instead of a union between "spouses" requires a simple majority to pass.

The revision would make it harder to legalize same-sex marriages, which already are prohibited by statute in Romania.

Election officials in Romania say 15.21 percent of eligible voters had cast ballots by mid-afternoon Sunday in the country's two-day referendum on changing the definition of marriage.

The referendum needs a voter turnout of at least 30 percent to be valid. If that turnout threshold is reached, the referendum seeking to amend the Romanian Constitution requires a simple majority to pass.

The conservative Coalition for Family that spearheaded a referendum to redefine marriage in Romania's Constitution and make it harder to legalize same-sex marriages is blaming "disinformation" for low voter turnout.

The coalition initiated the referendum with a signature petition. Passage would amend the constitution to say marriage is a union between a man and a woman instead of a union between "two spouses.

The conservative group that spearheaded a referendum to redefine marriage in Romania's Constitution and make it harder to legalize same-sex marriages is blaming "disinformation" for low voter turnout.

As of midday on Sunday, voter turnout was 11.67 percent. The referendum needs at least 30 percent turnout to be valid.

The Coalition for Family said in a statement that "a massive disinformation campaign" by the media, politicians and local governments was responsible for weak voter participation.

It alleged "a general boycott by all political parties" that was "primarily directed against the Christians of Romania."

The coalition initiated the referendum with a signature petition. Passage would amend the constitution to say marriage is a union between a man and a woman instead of a union between "two spouses.

The head of the Romanian Orthodox Church is urging the faith's adherents to vote in a referendum that would make it harder to legalize same-sex marriage, if it passes.

The church's news agency said Patriarch Daniel called on Romanians who hadn't yet cast ballots on Sunday to "vote before it's too late."

The referendum would amend the Romanian Constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman, instead of a union between two spouses.

Voter turnout of 30 percent is required for the referendum to be valid. Turnout was 11.67 percent as of midday Sunday.

Another prominent church official, Metropolitan Teofan of Moldova and Bucovina, told Romania's Agerpres national news agency Romanians "deserved their fate" if the amendment fails.

Romania's Central Electoral Bureau said 11.67 percent of voters had cast a ballot by lunchtime Sunday in the country's two-day referendum on changing the definition of marriage.

The vote requires a 30 percent turnout to be valid.

The proposed amendment would change the definition of family in Romania's Constitution to make marriage a union between a man and a woman instead of between "spouses." Same-sex marriage is already illegal in Romania.

The conservative Coalition for Family initiated the referendum and Romanian Orthodox priests during Sunday services encouraged the faithful to vote.

Opponents say the amendment could make LGBT people feel more like second-class citizens and could discriminate against non-traditional families.

Romanians are voting for a second day on a constitutional amendment that would make it harder to legalize same-sex marriage.

The Central Electoral Bureau said 5.72 percent of voters had cast a ballot Saturday in the two-day referendum. The vote requires a 30 percent turnout to be valid.

The conservative Coalition for Family initiated the referendum, backed by the influential Romanian Orthodox Church. During Sunday services, priests are expected to encourage the faithful to vote.

The proposed amendment would change the definition of family in Romania's Constitution to make marriage a union between a man and a woman instead of between "spouses." Same-sex marriage is already illegal in Romania.

Opponents say the new constitutional language could make LGBT people feel more like second-class citizens and could discriminate against non-traditional families.

Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</s>(CNN) Romanians will go to the polls this weekend to vote in a referendum on changing the constitution to redefine marriage as being only between a man and a woman, in a move that opponents warn could breach human rights law and worsen homophobic discrimination.

The vote, over Saturday and Sunday, was prompted by a petition started by an umbrella civil society group called Coalition for the Family and signed by nearly 3 million Romanians.

The constitution currently states that "the family is founded on the freely consented marriage of the spouses, their full equality, as well as the right and duty of the parents to ensure the upbringing, education and instruction of their children," according to a Coalition for the Family translation.

Romanians will vote on whether to narrow that definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman, rather than "spouses."

Coalition for the Family, which describes its members as "upholding Christian and traditional values," argues that the constitutional change is needed to "preserve marriage" and defend the family.

Read More</s>Romanians are voting for a second day on a constitutional amendment that would make it harder to legalise same-sex marriage.

Romanians are voting for a second day on a constitutional amendment that would make it harder to legalise same-sex marriage.

Romanians vote on changing the definition of marriage

The country’s Central Electoral Bureau said 5.72% of voters had cast a ballot on Saturday in the two-day referendum. The vote requires a 30% turnout to be valid.

The conservative Coalition for Family initiated the referendum, backed by the influential Romanian Orthodox Church.

During Sunday services, priests are expected to encourage the faithful to vote.

The proposed amendment would change the definition of family in Romania’s Constitution to make marriage a union between a man and a woman instead of between “spouses”.

Same-sex marriage is already illegal in Romania.

Opponents say the new constitutional language could make LGBT people feel more like second-class citizens and could discriminate against non-traditional families.</s>A referendum aimed at putting same-sex marriage further out of reach in Romania was invalidated after too few voters cast ballots, election officials said.

The weekend vote on a constitutional amendment that would have changed the definition of family to make marriage a union between a man and a woman instead of between “spouses” required voter turnout of at least 30% for the result to stand.

Election officials said after polls closed that only 20.41% of eligible voters participated. The turnout threshold never was close to being reached all day, a trend which gay rights group Accept said showed citizens “want a Romania based upon democratic values”. The vote has taken place over two days (AP)

“We have shown that we cannot be fooled by a political agenda that urges us to hate and polarise society,” the group said.

Marriage statutes already prohibit same-sex marriage in Romania. The conservative Coalition for Family spearheaded the referendum with a signature petition, arguing that any ambiguity in the constitution needed to be eliminated.

Earlier on Sunday, the Coalition for Family blamed what it called “a massive disinformation campaign” by the media, politicians and local governments for the weak voter participation.

It alleged “a general boycott by all political parties” that was “primarily directed against the Christians of Romania”.

The influential Romanian Orthodox Church backed the amendment. Concerned about the low turnout, Patriarch Daniel urged Romanians to “vote before it’s too late”.

“We call on you to vote, to have this honour, to demonstrate this freedom and right,” he said.

Opponents say the new constitutional language could have made LGBT people feel more like second-class citizens and could discriminate against non-traditional families. They also said the amendment was unnecessary since Romanian civil law already limits marriages to a man and a woman.

In the village of Adunati-Copaceni, south of Bucharest, only 62 people had voted by mid-morning out of a total electorate of 1,147.

Priests leading services at St Mary’s Church encouraged the congregation to vote. Retired farmer Ana Buturgianu, 69, said she would heed the advice, as did Andrei Aurelian, a 53-year-old cashier.

“The vote is for us and for our children. It’s normal to have a man and a woman, not two men together,” Mr Aurelian said.

But Bucharest resident Marin Soare, 50, who was cycling through the village on Sunday, boycotted the referendum, calling it “a waste of money”.

“We already have traditional families in Romania and have done so for 2,000 years,” he said. “And there’s always been same-sex relationships.”</s>Romanians are voting for a second day on a constitutional amendment that would make it harder to legalise same-sex marriage.

The country’s Central Electoral Bureau said 5.72% of voters had cast a ballot on Saturday in the two-day referendum. The vote requires a 30% turnout to be valid.

The conservative Coalition for Family initiated the referendum, backed by the influential Romanian Orthodox Church. The vote has taken place over two days (AP)

During Sunday services, priests are expected to encourage the faithful to vote.

The proposed amendment would change the definition of family in Romania’s Constitution to make marriage a union between a man and a woman instead of between “spouses”.

Same-sex marriage is already illegal in Romania.

Opponents say the new constitutional language could make LGBT people feel more like second-class citizens and could discriminate against non-traditional families.- Press Association</s>BUCHAREST, Romania — Romanians are voting for a second day on a constitutional amendment that would make it harder to legalize same-sex marriage.

The Central Electoral Bureau said 5.72 percent of voters had cast a ballot Saturday in the two-day referendum. The vote requires a 30 percent turnout to be valid.

The conservative Coalition for Family initiated the referendum, backed by the influential Romanian Orthodox Church. During Sunday services, priests are expected to encourage the faithful to vote.

The proposed amendment would change the definition of family in Romania's Constitution to make marriage a union between a man and a woman instead of between "spouses." Same-sex marriage is already illegal in Romania.

Opponents say the new constitutional language could make LGBT people feel more like second-class citizens and could discriminate against non-traditional families.
Romanians go to the polls to vote in a referendum on changing the Constitution to redefine marriage as being only between a man and a woman.