Nevada becomes 1st state to protect same-sex marriage in its constitution

Nevada has become the nation's first state to protect same-sex marriage in its Constitution.

In the Tuesday election, voters repealed a 2002 amendment that had defined marriage as between one man and one woman.

During Tuesday’s election, state residents voted in favour of Question 2, which would remove an inactive same-sex marriage ban from the state constitution.

The ban came from a 2002 amendment that defined marriage as between one man and one woman.

Same-sex marriage will stay protected even if the Supreme Court reverses its marriage equality ruling.

"Marriage would be defined as between couples, regardless of gender, though religious organisations and clergypersons would have the right to refuse to solemnise a marriage," read Question 2.

"The State of Nevada and its political subdivisions shall recognize marriages and issue marriage licenses to couples regardless of gender," reads the amendment, which also requires that legally valid marriages be treated equally under the law.

The amendment also takes steps to protect religious organizations or members of clergy for refusing to "solemnize," or perform, a marriage.

According to The New York Times, 691,661 out of 1,129,979 voted for Nevada Question 2, which states that “marriage would be defined as couples, regardless of gender” at a 61.2 percent majority vote in favor of repealing the 2002 Amendment.