A Senate committee on Wednesday voted down a proposal to remove a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage from the November ballot.

The Republican controlled Legislature voted to put the measure on the ballot last year, but several DFLers have tried to have it removed.

"Minnesota families will be subjected to a negative and expensive campaign that threatens to marginalize one group of people and deeply divide our state," said state Sen. Mary Jo McGuire, a St. Paul DFLer who authored the amendemnt. "I believe it is in the best interest of Minnesota, our citizens and our business community to repeal this damaging amendment, and I am deeply disappointed that Republicans refuse to undo their terrible mistake."