Why would anyone vote for less freedom?

I voted today but really for only one reason - the state of Wisconsin had a proposed constitutional amendment effecting same-sex relationships. I went to vote No on the question.

Today they came for the gay people - and I decided to stand with them.

Hopefully they'll stand with me when the come for the left-handers.

Early returns show the proposed amendment passing with 60% of the votes cast.

Why would anyone go out of their way to restrict the rights of otherwise law-abiding citizens?

"However wise and worthy the members of a ruling elite entrusted with the power to govern a state may be when they first take power, in a few years or a few generations they are likely to abuse it. If human history provides any lessons, one surely is that through corruption, nepotism, the advancement of individual and group interests, and abuse of their monopoly over the state's coercive power..., the Guardians of a state are likely to turn into despots."

Robert A. Dahl, On Democracy, p. 74.