Voters Repeal Maine's Same-Sex Marriage Law

The Maine Legislature passed a law last spring that would have legalized same-sex marriage. Implementation of the law was put on hold after conservatives launched a petition drive to repeal it in a voter referendum.

In every state to which it has been put to a popular vote, gay marriage has now lost every time. That amounts to 31. This includes liberal enclaves such as California, where Proposition 8 last year amended the state Constitution to define marriage as solely between a man and a woman. That controversial proposition survived a State Supreme court battle over its legality, as well.

While gay-rights advocates mounted a well-funded campaign, much as in the earlier fight in California, those against same-sex marriage argued that the new law would mean "homosexual marriage" would be taught in public schools. This was disputed by state officials, but the argument resonated through "fear," just as in California.

Much as in California's battle, Maine drew volunteers and contributions from out of state. In this case, however, the campaign in defense of gay marriage, Protect Maine Equality, outspent the other side, for Stand for Marriage Maine, $4 million to $2.5 million.

During the California campaign, the Mormon Church, based in Utah, asked its followers to contribute and back the anti gay-marriage side, despite the fact that the church itself is based in Utah. This drew a large degree of criticism after the Proposition passed.

Tuesday's vote marked the first time voters had rejected a gay-marriage law enacted by a legislature. The aforementioned Proposition 8 was in response to a court ruling, not legislation.

Meanwhile, five other states have legalized gay marriage starting with Massachusetts in 2004, followed by Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Iowa. However, all did so through legislation or court rulings, not by popular vote. At the same time, constitutional amendments banning gay marriage have been approved in all 30 states where they have been on the ballot.

Elsewhere, voters in Washington state voted on whether to uphold or overturn a recently expanded domestic partnership law that entitles same-sex couples to the same state-granted rights as heterosexual married couples. With half the precincts reporting, that race was too close to call.

Written by Michael Santo