Is Maine About To Become The First State To Approve Gay Marriage By Ballot?
Posted: 3rd Nov 2009 Author: Michelle Penny Topics: News
There are now less than 24 hours before the only thing left to do with votes in Maine is going to be count them, and see whether Maine is become the first state to approve gay marriage by ballot.
Voting to decide whether the gay marriage bill, signed into law by Democratic Governor John Baldacci in May, should be repealed, this law, if upheld, will make Maine the first state to approve equal rights for same sex couples via the ballot boxes, and will see it join Iowa, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire as the sixth state to legalise gay marriage.
Both opponents and proponents of Question 1 have been campaigning heavily to win support with large financial contributions being seen on both sides. It has, however, been the proponents that have seen most success, with Protect Maine Equality raising $4 million, in contrast to the $2.5 million that Stand for Marriage Maine, who forced the repeal vote via a petition drive, have managed to raise.
This higher level of funding has undoubtedly helped gay marriage supporters with their campaigning, and hindered opponents who have had to cut back on advertising with theirs, but recent polls have indicated the fight is far from won with there being little between the votes for and against.
And one of the possible reasons why has many things in common with the tactics of proponents of Proposition 8 – scare tactics. Broadcasting television and radio adverts Stand For Marriage Main have been using children to swing the vote their way, saying the passing of the law will require public schools to teach children about same sex marriage, something that attorneys in Maine have denied is connected in any way the legislation.
Photo by samm4mrox
