(AP) -- North Carolina voters have approved a constitutional amendment defining marriage solely as a union between a man and a woman, making it the 30th state to adopt such a ban.
With 35 percent of precincts reporting Tuesday, unofficial returns showed the amendment passing with about 58 percent of the vote to 42 percent against.
"I've the read the bible through 3-4 times and i think it's the thing to do," said Richard Foard, whose against the amendment.
"It's a matter of civil rights," Bill Gouge, who was for the amendment said.
In Myrtle Beach Tuesday, reaction of those interviewed seemed to be divided between younger versus older generations on the issue.
"I think banning gay marriage is a mistake," Adam Taylor said.
"There is no such thing as a gay marriage," Charley Crane said.
In the days before the vote, members of President Barack Obama's cabinet expressed support for gay marriage and former President Bill Clinton recorded phone messages urging voters to reject the amendment.
Meanwhile, supporters ran their own ad campaigns and church leaders urged Sunday congregations to vote for the amendment. The Rev. Billy Graham was featured in full-page newspaper ads supporting the amendment.
The AP contributed to this report.
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