Main Marriage Equality Opponents Have Gathered Enough Signatures for November '09 Referendum

Stand For Marriage, a broad-based coalition of business, elected officials, the Catholic Diocese of Portland, the Maine Jeremiah Project, and more announced today that they have collected more than the 55,087 signatures needed for a People's Veto of the new marriage equality enacted by the state's legislature and signed by Gov. John Baldacci. They're collecting additional signatures to insure that the initiative is on the November 2009 ballot. (See video supporting an overturn using ex-gay's stories.)

"In just four weeks, we've gathered more than 55,000 signatures from Mainers who believe they, not the legislature and governor, should have the final say on the definition of marriage," said Marc Mutty, Chairman of the coalition. "There has been an extraordinary outpouring of support from voters across the state. This response gives us momentum that will lift us over the first hurdle of putting the issue before the people and, ultimately, carry us to victory in November."

All signatures must be certified by the Secretary of State for validity. Once certified, the issue is cleared to appear on the November 2009 ballot.

"The fact that we've gathered all these signatures in just a month to proceed with the People's Veto suggests that the people of Maine, like those in 43 other states, want to restore marriage to its historical and time-honored definition as between a man and a woman," said Bob Emrich, founder of the Maine Jeremiah Project and an Executive Committee member of Stand for Marriage Maine. "We look forward to submitting the measure for certification and engaging Mainers in a vigorous defense of marriage. Traditional marriage has never lost on the ballot in any state. We expect it to prevail in Maine."

ACTION: Maine Freedom to Marry recently launched their counter campaign. They announced several ways you can get involved to help keep the marriage equality law on the books.

• Sign up to the Maine Freedom to Marry campaign website to stay informed.
• Take the pledge to support marriage fairness.
• Donate to ensure the campaign has the necessary resources to win.
• Volunteer to help out the campaign. You can volunteer whether or not you're a resident of Maine.
• Start a cyber campaign to fund raise for Maine Freedom to Marry.
• Make your voice heard by blogging for equality.