Equal-rights measure fails in Georgia by 2-1 margin

The Equal Rights Amendment failed by a 2-1 margin in the rural-dominated Georgia House despite the strong support of former Presidents Carter and Ford. The vote was the second time this week a state has rejected the amendment.

The conservative lawmakers had been expected to reject ERA, but backers said they were shocked by the 116-57 vote. It was the fourth defeat for the measure in Georgia and followed a defeat earlier this week in Oklahoma. It also comes up for votes in Florida and Illinois in the next few weeks. The deadline date for ratification is June 30.