The fight over a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage in Minnesota is on pace to set a fundraising record in the state, with more than $10 million raised so far by the two sides.
As the biggest push comes in the six weeks before Election Day, the marriage amendment battle could be the most expensive constitutional ballot question in state history.
"I don't believe there's been anything of this scale before," said Gary Goldsmith, executive director of the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.
The lead group opposing the amendment, Minnesotans United for All Families, has raised money at a blistering pace -- $2.5 million since July, $5.96 million this year and more than $8.2 million since it started in 2011.
The chief group supporting the amendment, Minnesota for Marriage, raised $478,000 since July, $1.19 million this year and about $2 million overall.
But opponents' more than 4-to-1 fundraising advantage has yet to translate into surefire support at the polls. A Star Tribune Minnesota poll earlier this week found Minnesotans remain closely divided on the issue, with slightly more favoring the amendment than opposing it.
"It's really no surprise that we're being outspent," said Autumn Leva, spokeswoman for Minnesota for Marriage. "Money doesn't speak on this issue. The voices of the majority of Minnesotans are going to be heard much more loudly at the polls."
Kate Brickman, spokesman for Minnesotans United, said amendment opponents have always known they would need more than money.