The U.S. state of Arizona has recognized same-sex marriage since a court ruling on October 17, 2014, required the state to do so. The state had denied marriage rights to same-sex couples by statute since 1996 and by an amendment to its state constitution approved by voters in 2008. Two lawsuits in federal court that challenged the state's policies ended with a decision that the ban was unconstitutional and the state did not appeal that ruling. Before the court ruling, several Arizona cities and towns provided civil unions or domestic partnerships.