AUGUSTA (AP) – Proponents of an Indian-operated racetrack casino in Washington County, who have twice won legislative backing in recent weeks but have been unable to overcome the objections of Gov. John Baldacci, are seeking to take the issue before state voters themselves.

Tribal leaders submitted an application with state election officials Monday, aiming to put the question out to voters in November 2006.

“We’re putting to the people that which was authorized by the Legislature,” said the lead signatory on the citizen initiative application, state Rep. Fred Moore of the Passamaquoddy Tribe.

On June 23, after the Legislature adjourned, Baldacci vowed to veto a Washington County racino bill calling for a statewide referendum. The governor had vetoed a similar bill without a referendum provision on June 9.

Baldacci had linked acceptance of the referendum measure to its supporters’ attainment of super majorities of two-thirds voting approval in the Legislature. The Senate’s enactment vote was just short, 21-11.

“When the Legislature reconvenes, it is my intention to return this bill with my veto to the Legislature,” Baldacci said in announcing his decision to issue a second veto.

“Maine’s constitution, however, reserves to the people the right to initiate legislation; therefore, the people of Maine can still be heard through a citizens’ initiative. I will not stand in the way of any future effort that places the issue of expansion of casino gambling before the voters,” the governor added.

Moore said Monday that racino proponents were “proceeding as we stated we would.”

Once cleared for circulation, citizen initiative supporters would have a year to gather signatures. They would need to submit the requisite number by late January to get their proposal on the November 2006 ballot, according to Deputy Secretary of State Doug Dunbar.

“So they began the process by filing the application and draft legislation today,” Dunbar said.

The secretary of state’s office is currently reviewing petition signatures filed in support of a proposed people’s veto of gay rights legislation enacted by the Legislature and signed by Baldacci earlier this year.

Late last month, the Christian Civic League of Maine’s online newspaper highlighted the filing of people’s veto petitions aimed at derailing the pending gay rights law and expressed confidence that a statewide vote would proceed.

“Based on previous petition drives, the number of signatures should provide a safe margin, even allowing for invalidated signatures,” The Record said.

People’s veto organizers said they believed they had submitted more than 57,000 signatures, which if certified would surpass the threshold of 50,519 signatures needed to put the measure on this November’s ballot.

According to Dunbar, state elections officials have until July 28 to complete their review.

The ballot question would read: “Do you want to reject the new law that would protect people from discrimination in employment, housing, education, public accommodations and credit based on their sexual orientation?”

Twice before, Maine voters have rejected similar legislation.