MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin voters will decide in November whether to amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage and civil unions.

The amendment cleared its final hurdle in the state Legislature on Tuesday night. It was approved in the Republican-dominated state Assembly by a vote of 62-31.

Tuesday night's vote will put the amendment on the state ballot in November when voters will also determine whether Gov. Jim Doyle should get a second term in office.

For four hours prior to the vote, lawmakers on both sides spoke passionately about the issue, WISC-TV reported.

The amendment would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman in the state constitution and doesn't grant a similar legal status to unmarried individuals, such as civil unions. If voters support the referendum, it would add 43 words to the constitution.

Supporters of the ban contend that the amendment would defend marriage from legal challenges seeking to grant same-sex couples the right to marry, such as one that was successful in Massachusetts.

Opponents of the amendment argue that the state already limits marriage to a man and a woman, and that the question of whether to recognize civil unions should be considered separately.

Both sides of the issue are gearing up and expected to launch campaigns as November nears.

Action Wisconsin, which is one of the groups leading the charge against the amendment, said that it plans to spend $3 million to stop the amendment. At the same time, the Family Research Institute of Wisconsin said that it will spend as much as needed to ensure victory, WISC-TV reported.

Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.