AUGUSTA — It's official: Mainers will get the chance to vote this fall on a law enacted by the Legislature allowing same-sex marriage.
Secretary of State Matt Dunlap announced Wednesday afternoon that 60,391 signatures of the more than 100,000 that were turned in were certified by his office. Dunlap said they stopped certifying after the necessary threshold of 55,087 signatures was met. The governor has signed an official proclamation, ensuring the question will be on the ballot.
The official question, which will appear as Question 1, will read, "Do you want to reject the new law that lets same-sex couples marry and allows individuals and religious groups to refuse to perform these marriages?"
Campaigns have been gearing up on both sides in anticipation of a successful petition effort. Fundraising, phone-banking and advertising is expected to continue leading up to the Nov. 3 election.
The law, which was scheduled to take effect in mid-September, will be suspended until after the election. Dunlap said if the law is upheld, it will take effect after the vote is certified, sometime in late November.
Maine is the fifth state to allow same-sex marriage, but the first to have the Legislature pass a bill, which was signed by the governor, and without judiciary involvement. If the law stands, it would be the first state where voters statewide approve a same-sex marriage law. Last fall in California a same-sex marriage law was overturned by citizens.
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Dear Abby, What do you think
Dear Abby, What do you think of gay marriage? Abby says," Why it's abbeynormal to to abdicate"!
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.tron says I agree, why
tron says
I agree, why should gays want marriage equality, with rights and benefits of breeders? After all they have their own TV channel, what would they want with anything more!
..TRON: I sincerely HOPE you were using sarcazm?? Because with that LOGIC or lack there-of....Breeders have every other of the G-dammed 400 or so odd channels devoted specifically to THEIR NEEDS!
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Taxpoor says
This Gay marriage law will be voted down. We need a new law that prohibits it from ever coming back. WE DO NOT WANT IT. What part of NO do the gays not get. Next they will want a law so they can marry their brother or sister or marry their mother or father Sick people 4 sure. GET THE HELL BACK IN THE CLOSETS AND STAY THERE
EXCUSE me Taxpoor - BUT HOW does Gays Getting Treated Equally and being Able to Marry the Consenting "non related" adult of thier choice affect you??? Seriously nitwit, how? PLEASE EXPLAIN...we're all ears....! Your STUPID comment about marrying your Brother or sister,mother,father SHOWS your TOTAL LACK of Education, ad Criticial thinking skills....most likely a GOP ..and home-schooled were you? YOU are Proof Positive of the Stupidity of the Americans!
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Wow, reading alot of the
Wow, reading alot of the comments - I see American's Intelligence level is LOW - really low. How come people think "religion" has anything to do with Civil Law..just goes to show how LITTLE people know about Civil Laws.... If you don't want Gay Marriage/or better yet..MARRIAGE EQUALITY - DON'T MARRY A GAY PERSON. HOW...someone,anyone.....please explain.....HOW does a GAY person marrying affect YOUR Marriage personally? HOW? ......NO ONE can ever answer it...without throwing Jesus or the Buy-Bull into it........What a disgrace America is...Voting on people's rights? What kind of crap is that......and WHY is it ONLY LGBT people's Rights get to be voted on in America 2009???? What a disappointment and total lack of Fairness America has turned out to be....at 49yrs old....I've come to see this country for what it really is...and it's NOTHING that I was brought up to beleive....."Liberty & Justrice for ALL" are just words, Empty meaningless words..that make America sound better then it actually is......shame shame! Well, If this passes..and LGBT Mainer's are denied Equality - I will NEVER go to Maine again and spend my Tax / tourism dollars.........I guess it's gonna have to come down to the Supreme Crt..and the 14th Ammendment being Implimented throughout America - just like it was with Loving Vs Virginia.........I honestly do NOT understand the Big Deal...about SHARING a word/and RIGHTS , and idea of being Committed to someone you love (consenting adults) .....and for those who keep using stupid arguments about marrying relatives or animals - GROW UP! LGBT Americans are DENIED over 1400 Federal RIGHTS via Marriage that Heterosexuals TAKE FOR GRANTED, and a few hundred states RIGHTS.....they are NOT given to you by the church, you get THOSE CIVIL RIGHTS from the state! Interesting how in this country - the supposed Land of Life,Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness ...a Convicted Heterosexual Killer in Prison for Life CAN MARRY, and has MORE RIGHTS then a LGBT Tax PAYING LAW ABIDING Citizen!!! DISGRACEFUL!
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I keep hoping everyday that our State and our Nation will someday overcome discrimination and prejudices and biased and close-minded... overcome HATE, overcome FEARS... It pains me to the core that at this day and age, TODAY-some humans have become so self-righteous and ignorant to the BIGGER picture. WE are all humans... we feel the same, we think the same, we are human. Have a little compassion. Maybe even mind your OWN business when the issue doesn't involve you or your future. WE are NOT sick, WE are not ill, WE are not a disease...
I know that the people of Maine will vote for human rights-period. Its a great accomplishment on Nov. 3rd elections. The power of positive thinking will help us in this endeavor... no more wishing/hoping/wanting... IT IS!
MARRIAGE RIGHTS FOR EVERYONE! SAME RIGHTS FOR EVERYONE!
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I really can't understand how letting gays marry each other is going to affect a straight persons life in any way, shape, or form. These people are always talking about gays wanting "special rights", but from where I stand these people have the "special right" of marriage and don't want to share it gays. And something has always puzzled me.....if marriage is a religious institution, why is it that the state issues marriage licenses and not churches? And why is it that you can get married in a place other than a church, and with someone performing the ceremony that is not part of the church (IE Justice of the Peace) and yet it is still defined as a marriage?
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond."and something has always
"and something has always puzzled me.....if marriage is a religious institution, why is it that the state issues marriage licenses and not churches?"
You're warm but not quite there.
The answer is not to change the law to give special privileges to certain groups but to get the government/state out of the marriage business.
Ask yourself these questions;
Why can only two people get married?
Why can't you marry a relative?
Why does the government/state get to decide who can marry?
Equal rights for all!
The pro Homosexual marriage people preach the "equal rights for all" mantra but don't really mean it.
Let individuals decide who their spouse(s) will be.
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No, the real solution is for the state to not recognize ANY marriages. The state can recognize partnerships, but let marriage be between a couple and their lord. The and only then will it be “fair” enough for the gays.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond."No, the real solution is
"No, the real solution is for the state to not recognize ANY marriages."
That's exactly what I said!
And fair has nothing to do with it.
The key terms are Freedom and Liberty, ideals this country was founded on.
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The ballot question sounds so odd. Yes, I reject same-sex couples from getting married because I think it is unnatural and against human morals despite what current society wants to preach. Sadly, a lot of out-of-staters are here in Maine pushing the homosexual marriage laws. They are running ads on tv but Mainers don't be fooled. These are people coming from out-of-state and pushing their own agenda. The same people who pushed for same-sex marriage in MA.
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I am sorry to inform, but the IN-STATE gays and lesbians of Maine want same-right marriage laws and would like to bring the agenda to the table!
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A California based hate group spent $250,000 to pay for signature gatherers to put this on the ballot. It's legal, but money and campaigners are coming from all across the country. So until you're willing to keep your hate filled friends away from this campaign, then let freedom loving people join in no matter where they come from.
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Kudos AwardedDisagree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Every blog should have a
Every blog should have a resident idiot.
I don't know that you're it, but you're definitely a contender!
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Kudos AwardedAgree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.No Hulk He's the
No Hulk He's the undisputed champion.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Are "they" citizens of the
Are "they" citizens of the United States? Yes? Well then, "they" can come here.
Are "they" citizens of the State of Maine? No? Well then, "they" can't vote.
I don't see the problem.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.This Gay marriage law will
This Gay marriage law will be voted down. We need a new law that prohibits it from ever coming back. WE DO NOT WANT IT. What part of NO do the gays not get. Next they will want a law so they can marry their brother or sister or marry their mother or father Sick people 4 sure. GET THE HELL BACK IN THE CLOSETS AND STAY THERE
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Against gay marriage? Don't
Against gay marriage? Don't marry one!
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I do not agree with gay marriage its something that the Bible clearly defines as immoral and it is impractical as it does not make another member of society. A twisted logical embrace is that know one was ever asked to vote on the matter. Wonder if the out right NO will say anything to Baldicci although I know the man and he is a nice gentlemen he should have allowed for a vote rather then vetoing the voting proper.
Joseph Ziehm
Lewiston, ME
"Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a master in heaven. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;" Colossians 4: 1-2
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.A few years ago, we were
A few years ago, we were asked to vote in legislation preventing workplace discrimination of homosexuals. Voters were assured that this had nothing to due with marriage. I voted to prevent discrimination. Following the win the very next day, comments were printed that marriage was next.
We were asked to vote on how individual businesses hired and fired employes, yet we were informed how we were going to define something personal.
Marriage norms are defined by the society, not the Christian Bible. I do find it interesting that the
Bible is often the target (or weapon), yet the Islamic Koran does define marriage and discriminate
against homosexuals. People of Islam are members of this community, and have the right to vote, yet their opinion has been completely overlooked and understated. Why is that?
If homosexuals think that they have it rough here, they should look at India, Afghanistan, and China's treatment of homosexuality. Remember, in the U.S., you have discrimination protection, the right to adopt, cable channel (LOGO), public demonstration allowences, media representation, organized groups and clubs, some church's acknowledgements, and partner benefits.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.I agree, why should gays
I agree, why should gays want marriage equality, with rights and benefits of breeders? After all they have their own TV channel, what would they want with anything more!
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Is that the only thing you
Is that the only thing you saw in what I wrote? Not that the Islamic communtiy is silent, or that most other countries prohibit homosexuality with the punishment of death. The only thing that made sense is a TV station comment. No wonder logic and common sense are dead in this country.
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