Associated Press
 
November 3, 2008
 
SAN FRANCISCO -- Spending for and against a ballot initiative that would outlaw same-sex marriage in California has surpassed $73 million, almost twice the total that was spent in the 24 states where similar measures were put to voters since 2004.
 
Campaign finance records show that opponents of Proposition 8 had a slight lead in contributions as of Monday, having raised $37.6 million. Supporters of the ban on gay marriage had raised $35.8 million. Proposition 8 is the second most expensive ballot issue in the nation, second only to the presidential race.
 
According to the National Organization on Money in State Politics, a little less than $33 million was spent on campaigns to pass or defeat gay marriage bans in the 24 states where they appeared on ballots in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
 
In May the California Supreme Court overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage, and same-sex marriage licenses have been issued since June 17.
 
According to a new field poll, 44 percent voters were in favor of Proposition 8, with 49 percent against.