By AP/KWMU
St. Louis – A political fight over the timing of a gay marriage ban election has reached a skeptical Missouri Supreme Court.
Judges Tuesday questioned whether there was any practical or legal reason preventing Republican Secretary of State Matt Blunt from placing the amendment on the August ballot, as Democratic Governor Bob Holden ordered.
Blunt's attorney acknowledged there was no practical barrier. But he said state election law makes an August election impossible.
If Blunt's view prevails, that would leave the November general election as the most likely alternative.
Political observers believe a November gay marriage vote would favor Republicans and hurt Democrats. But a vote coinciding with the August party primaries would carry less of a political advantage.