(Phoenix, Ariz.) The Arizona state senate ethics committee will probe maneuvering by Republican leaders that led to a proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage being approved for the November election.

One of two openly gay senators in the legislature called for the ethics investigation, saying Harper and other GOP leaders engaged in dirty tricks.

Sen. Ken Cheuvront (D) asked the committee to issue a formal reprimand against Harper. The complaint accuses Harper of “conspiring” with other Republican leaders to cut off microphones last month during the Democratic filibuster aimed at killing the anti-gay measure.

Republicans accuse Cheuvront of political posturing.

After the microphones were cut, Republicans forced an immediate vote on the proposed amendment. It passed on a 16-4 vote. It had previously been approved by the House.

The issue now goes to voters in November.

In 2006, a similar amendment to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions failed when put to voters.

Public opinion polls have showed that while most people in the state oppose same-sex marriage, they do not want to enshrine that in the constitution.

The current amendment proposal does not mention civil unions.

Arizona already has a Defense of Marriage Act that limits marriage to opposite-sex couples.  Supporters of the constitutional amendment say they fear the law could be overturned by the courts. Amending the state constitution would tie the hands of the judiciary.

A hearing on the ethics complaint must be held within five to 20 days.

No matter what the committee decides, it will not affect the ballot measure from going to voters.