Support of an amendment to the state constitution supporting the idea that life starts at conception and support outlawing abortion passed by voters statewide.

The referendum reads “Should the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide that the paramount right to life is vested in each innocent human being from his or her earliest biological beginning without regard to age, race, sex, health, function or condition of dependency?”

Georgia voters said yes to the amendment with 65.7 percent in favor. In Troup County, almost 70 percent percent of voters said yes to the amendment.

Georgia Right to Life, which pushed the amendment, has claimed that contraceptives will not considered to be abortifacients under legislation written to enact the Life Amendment, but said that the “morning after pill” and internal IUD would become illegal should the Life Amendment become law.

Some opponents also have said the amendment could affect use of invetro fertilization because multiple embryos are necessary to get a healthy baby.

Other questions on the ballot include a referendum to allow casino gambling with funds supporting education, which received favor in Troup County with 53.4 percent of the vote. Statewide, the margin was narrower at 50.25 percent in favor to 49.75 percent against.

More than 87 percent of Troup County voters supported a Republican referendum to put a $100 cap on lobbyist gifts to legislators, mirroring the state results exactly. A similar question to quell unlimited gifts likewise was supported with more than 65 percent of Troup voters and about 72.5 percent of statewide votes in support of ending the practice.

Troup County voters supported a referendum to allow active Military personnel under 21 to obtain a weapons license with 66 percent voting yes. The measure passed statewide with 68.8 percent of voters in favor.

A measure to require Georgia voters to register at least 30 days prior to a primary election to vote in that primary didn’t pass muster in Troup County, where 52.6 percent of voters were against it. Statewide, the measure fell short with more than 53 percent of voters against it.

Troup voters also were against allowing the state to override local school boards’ authorities to approve local charter schools with almost 53 percent opposing, mirroring the state results.

About 80 percent of Democratic Troup voters supported a referendum to adopt an income tax credit for home energy costs for “the economic security of our families,” mirroring state results.

Democratic Troup voters also favored reducing taxes for products made in Georgia, an attempt to support small businesses, by almost 88 percent. About 87 percent of voters supported the measure statewide.