The House voted 75-42 Monday to let voters decide whether a ban on same-sex marriage should be written into the state constitution, starting North Carolina on a track to join a majority of states with similar prohibitions.

Bill supporters decided to put the question on the May primary ballot next year rather than the November 2012 general election ballot, ensuring the proposal would win support from enough Democrats to clear the 72 House-vote hurdle for proposed constitutional changes.

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