A referendum in Romania that saw the country voting on the right of gay and lesbian people to marry failed spectacularly. The European country spent nearly $40 million euros on the vote that saw an extremely low turnout. If the vote were to pass, it would have constitutionally banned same-sex marriage.

Only one-fifth of eligible voters showed up, and 20.4% of the 30% needed voted to ban gay marriage—a surprise to the conservative groups expecting a 90% chance of victory.