In California, three lawsuits have been filed to challenge the passage of a controversial ballot measure banning gay marriage. Proposition 8 would amend the state constitution to only recognize marriage between a man and a woman. The lawsuits allege the vote is illegal because it marks a constitutional revision of the guarantee of equal protection. The state legislature must first approve a constitutional revision before one can go to voters. The California Supreme Court struck down a statewide same-sex marriage ban in May.