In late July, NC Republicans in the State House proposed expanding their week-long session focused on redistricting to consider constitutional amendments. One of the more controversial amendments discussed was letting voters decide whether the constitution should restrict marriage to one man and one woman.

North Carolina is currently the only Southeastern state that has yet to put that definition into its constitution.

This week, behind the scenes lobbying is gearing up ahead of the North Carolina Legislature session next month. On the agenda is whether to put a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage on next year's ballot.

Wake Forest University Professor of Political Science John Dinan says placing gay marriage bans on the ballot to mobilize conservative groups has a long history.

He recently spoke with WFDD's David Ford.