Rush Limbaugh asserted that same-sex marriage has never passed by popular vote, even though several states have passed gay marriage initiatives by popular vote and polls show a majority of Americans support it.

Discussing the upcoming Supreme Court cases on marriage equality on the March 25 edition of his syndicated radio show, Limbaugh said that “If left to a vote of the people, same-sex marriage loses every time it’s been on the ballot.” He added that “every time it’s been voted on by the people, it has gone down to defeat. That’s why the courts have to get involved”:

In fact, same-sex marriage has passed by referendum in several states. In November, Maine, Maryland, and Washington became the first states in the country’s history to allow same-sex marriage by referendum. Citizens in Minnesota voted against a state constitutional amendment that would define marriage as only between a man and a woman.