The campaign signs may be down, but the conversation and controversy isn't over just days after North Carolina voters approved a constitutional amendment that defines marriage as solely between a man and a woman.

"As of this week, our relationship is officially unrecognized and invalid according to the state constitution," said Catherine Hopkins of Boone, North Carolina.

She described Amendment One as dehumanizing. "In order to recognize our equality, we need to treat each other fully human. Being fully human means being able to have a lifelong committed partnership with one person that you love," Hopkins said.

Hopkins created more than 20 newspaper ads encouraging voters to outlaw the amendment that defines marriage as solely between a man and a woman. But 61 percent of voters in North Carolina voted in favor of the amendment on Tuesday.

"This is specifically an anti-same sex marriage bill. It is a pro-traditional marriage bill," said Senator Dan Soucek. The Republican said a traditional marriage is the healthiest environment for the community. "That's how you procreate. That's how you create children and our next generation."

Soucek said same-sex marriage was already illegal in North Carolina, but this amendment makes it more difficult to overturn the law.

In Watauga County, about 49 percent of voters were for the ban against same-sex marriage. More than 50 percent were against it. Watauga was one of only seven counties in the state that was not in favor of the amendment.

"Anytime you talk about basically taking away rights from people, it's a hot topic," said Jim Deal, Watauga County Commissioner. He said the amendment could face numerous lawsuits while the courts interpret the only legally-recognized domestic union in the state. "There are a whole lot of legal issues we will now spend a great deal of taxpayers' money and a great deal of time battling to determine what this amendment truly means," he said.

That means for Catherin Hopkins and her partner, the fight might not be over. "There are a lot of people who still have energy to keep carrying this fight on and keep advocating for justice in the civil rights movement of our decade," she said.

Soucek said this primary election had the largest voter turnout in North Carolina history. According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections more than 2.1 million voters cast their ballots on Tuesday.