Question ready for foes of gay marriage (Maine)

Source: Kennebec Journal

AUGUSTA -- Maine election officials have drafted the question that will appear on the state referendum ballot if opponents of the recently enacted same-sex marriage bill collect enough signatures.

Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap said Tuesday that the question that will appear on petitions is as follows:

"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?"

...

"An Act to Promote Marriage Equality and Affirm Religious Freedom" was passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor on May 6, and is scheduled to take effect 90 days after the adjournment of the Legislature in mid-June.

Maine citizens have an amount of time, from when a bill is signed by the governor until it is effective, to collect and have verified a number of signatures of registered Maine voters equivalent to 10 percent of the total votes for governor in the last gubernatorial election in order to force a statewide vote on the measure.

Read more: http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/636127...

We're going to fight for a NO on this question.

If you'd like to help please donate to http://equalitymaine.org /

Thank you.

"Do you approve the law allowing same gender couples to marry and also allowing individuals and religious groups to refuse to perform same gender marriages?"

Why? I hate the "Yes, yes, we have no bananas" type questions, where you have to vote "no" if you favor something and "yes" if you oppose it. Voters get confused. And I think those that word ballot questions that way want voters confused.

California's ballot question was worded that way. I think supporters of same gender marriage should protest the wording before mounting an expensive campaign to vote no.

It really should be two separate questions, but I am not sure if that would help gays or hurt them. For instance, I am for same gender marriage, but annoyed that the Governor insisted on adding that language, when the state and federal Constitutions already cover the religious/conscience issue. So, I have mixed feelings. (I would still vote for gay marriage, but then, I'd have to vote "no, I want gay marriage.")

they ought to force them to rephrase the question so it is clearly what it is

They need 54,000 signatures but it looks like they have to be from registered voters.

k&r	fight4my3sons	May-20-09 08:17 AM	#1
well, that didn't take long	Maine-ah	May-20-09 08:22 AM	#2
Confusing question. BUT DONATE ANYWAY! Suggested wording:	No Elephants	May-20-09 08:27 AM	#3
they have learned that people want to say 'yes' so they phrase it in that way - worked on prop 8	tomm2thumbs	May-20-09 08:45 AM	#4
K&R	Wednesdays	May-20-09 06:39 PM	#5
540,000 people voted in the last gubanatorial election in Maine.	Massacure	May-20-09 09:45 PM	#6