Tennesseans will likely have a chance to cast a vote for or against gay marriage in the 2006 election, state lawmakers on both sides of the issue predict.

A proposed constitutional amendment stating that marriage should be between “one man and one woman” is up for a second vote next year in the legislature. Proponents and opponents of the measure expect it to pass.

State Sen. Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville), the recently-elected Senate majority leader, said the GOP will push the initiative in the coming session. Likewise, House Minority Leader Tre’ Hargett (R-Bartlett) said the measure would probably come to a vote in the House in the coming months.

The gay marriage ban should be enacted to prevent “liberal courts” such as those in Massachusetts from overturning same-sex marriage bans, said state Rep. Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville), the sponsor of the proposed amendment.

Dunn said he plans to introduce the resolution as soon as possible after the 104th General Assembly convenes Jan. 11.

“The people of Tennessee support the institution of marriage between a man and a woman. That’s what this is all about,” Dunn said.

A gay marriage ban is already in state statutes under a 1996 Tennessee law, which defines marriage as an institution between “one man and one woman.”

The proposed constitutional amendment, which passed the legislature handily last session, must now pass the new General Assembly by a two-thirds majority before seeing its way to the 2006 general election ballot for a voter referendum.

State Rep. Rob Briley (D-Nashville), one of only five to vote against the proposal on the House floor in May, said he expects to see the question on the 2006 ballot.

Nevertheless, the proposal is unnecessary because it is already dealt with under state law and the legislature “shouldn’t be legislating morality,” Briley said.

The proposal appears to have adequate support to make its way to the ballot.

The constitutional amendment proposal, which only needed a simple majority to pass in its first General Assembly, must pass by two-thirds in the coming year.

However, the measure easily gained two-thirds last session passing the 99-member House by a vote of 86-5 and the 33-member Senate by a vote of 28-1.

Constitutional amendments do not require the signature of the governor. However, if the proposal makes the ballot it could become an issue for Gov. Phil Bredesen, a Democrat, seeking reelection in 2006.