2012 Maine Question 1

Referendum on same-sex marriage July 2012 Question 1: Citizen Initiative An Act to Allow Marriage Licenses for Same-Sex Couples and Protect Religious Freedom 370770 334049 721791 275px County results 275px Congressional district results Yes #7D9CBB 60–70% 1px #AAAAAA solid #B6C8D9 50–60% 1px #AAAAAA solid No #BCBC83 60–70% 1px #AAAAAA solid #DEDEBD 50–60% 1px #AAAAAA solid Source: , Tabulation of Votes November 6, 2012 Maine 2009 2009 Maine Question 1 Maine Question 1 was a voter referendum on an initiated state statute that occurred on November 6, 2012. The referendum was held to determine whether or not to legalize same-sex marriage. The referendum passed with a 53-47% vote legalizing same-sex marriage in Maine. The law took effect on December 29, 2012.2012-12-03 Maine Marriage Equality Law to Take Effect December 29 http://www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2012/12/03/maine-marriage-equality-law-take-effect-december-29 2022-09-29 www.advocate.com en Background In 2009, same-sex marriage legalization, "An Act To End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom", was passed by the legislature and signed into law by Governor John Baldacci.Latest News: Office of Governor Paul LePage https://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=Gov+News&id=72146&v=Article-2006 2022-09-18 www.maine.gov A 2009 people's veto referendum to reject the law passed 53 to 47 percent, invalidating the law before it took effect.2009-11-04 Gay Rights Rebuke May Change Approach (Published 2009) The New York Times en https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/us/05marriage.html 2022-09-18 Goodnough Abby On June 30, 2011, EqualityMaine and Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) announced plans to place a voter initiative in support of same-sex marriage on Maine's November 2012 ballot.Portland Press Herald http://www.pressherald.com/news/maine-Gay-marriage-referendum.html David Sharp Gay marriage supporters aiming for 2012 referendum June 30, 2011 February 25, 2012 Supporters delivered more than 105,000 petition signatures for the initiative to the Secretary of State's office on January 26, 2012, exceeding the minimum of 57,277 signatures requirement.August 18, 2011 Language for same-sex marriage petitions approved https://www.centralmaine.com/2011/08/18/language-for-same-sex-marriage-petitions-approved/ Metzler Rebekah Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel August 21, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20150103031919/https://www.centralmaine.com/2011/08/18/language-for-same-sex-marriage-petitions-approved/ January 3, 2015Cover Susan M. 2012-06-15 'Do you want to allow same-sex couples to marry?' https://www.centralmaine.com/2012/06/15/do-you-want-gays-to-marry__2012-06-14/ 2022-09-29 Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel The Secretary of State announced on February 23 that the office verified 85,216 signatures, qualifying the initiative for the November 2012 ballot.Harrison Judy 2012-02-23 Secretary of state says same-sex marriage will be on the ballot http://www.bangordailynews.com/2012/02/23/news/secretary-of-state-says-same-sex-marriage-will-be-on-the-ballot/ 2022-09-29 Bangor Daily News en-US Under Maine's constitution, a valid initiative must be sent to the voters unless enacted in the proposed form by the Legislature at the same session during which it was presented. In March 2012, the Maine Legislature voted to indefinitely postpone the initiative without debate, effectively putting it on the November ballot.http://www.wmtw.com/r/30667750/detail.html Maine Same-Sex Marriage Bill Step Closer To Voters March 13, 2012 WMTV March 14, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120316225943/http://www.wmtw.com/r/30667750/detail.html March 16, 2012 dead mdy-all Ballot question On June 14, 2012, Maine Secretary of State Charlie Summers, who opposed same-sex marriage,http://bangordailynews.com/2012/06/20/politics/more-words-needed-in-same-sex-marriage-ballot-question-supporters-say/ Supporters want a wordier same-sex marriage question on November's ballot June 20, 2012 June 22, 2012 released the draft wording of the question as it would appear on the ballot, beginning a 30-day public comment period, at the end of which he had ten days to determine the wording of the question.http://bangordailynews.com/2012/06/14/politics/draft-of-gay-marriage-question-released/ Draft of Maine same-sex marriage question released June 14, 2012 June 22, 2012 He proposed the following wording: Do you want to allow same-sex couples to marry? The petitions that supporters circulated was as follows:Bangor Daily News http://bangordailynews.com/2011/08/17/politics/same-sex-marriage-petition-approved/ Eric Russell Signature-gathering campaign to begin on Maine same-sex marriage initiative August 17, 2011 February 25, 2012 Do you favor a law allowing marriage licenses for same-sex couples, and that protects religious freedom by ensuring that no religion or clergy be required to perform such a marriage in violation of their religious beliefs? Opponents of the initiative claimed that the latter part of the circulated question is unnecessary, as the religious freedom to refuse to perform same-sex marriages is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. They also criticized the wording for failing to mention redefining marriage. Supporters of the initiative said the Secretary of State's proposed wording "fails to address important parts of the initiative that will be on the ballot in November". Though they concede the First Amendment point made by the measure's opponents, they asked Summers, whose good faith they did not question, to restore the reference to protecting religious freedom because they claim opponents "distort the facts y around what the approval of same-sex marriage will do, including the possibility that churches would lose their tax-exempt status by refusing to perform same-sex marriages." The final wording Summers chose is "Do you want to allow the State of Maine to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples?" Representatives of both sides of the issue stated they had no major problems with Summers' decision.Bangor Daily News http://bangordailynews.com/2012/07/26/politics/final-wording-of-same-sex-marriage-question-issued/ Judy Harrison Final wording of same-sex marriage question issued July 26, 2012 July 26, 2012 Campaign EqualityMaine and Mainers United for Marriage began the campaign for the initiative on May 15, 2012.Harrison Judy 2012-05-16 Same-sex marriage supporters kick off Maine campaign by going door to door http://www.bangordailynews.com/2012/05/15/news/bangor/same-sex-marriage-supporters-kick-off-maine-campaign-by-going-door-to-door/ 2022-09-29 Bangor Daily News en-US By June 28, Mainers United for Marriage had raised more than $1 million, with 64 percent of contributions coming from within Maine.http://bangordailynews.com/2012/06/28/politics/same-sex-marriage-supporters-say-theyve-raised-1-million/ Same-sex marriage supporters say they've raised $1 million June 28, 2012 June 28, 2012 On July 23, the Maine ACLU and Mainers United for Marriage held a press conference to announce the formation of the group Republicans United for Marriage as part of an effort to attract more Republican support of the initiative. Fifteen Republicans appeared at the conference, including three current state legislators. One of those, Rep. Stacey Fitts of Pittsfield, had voted against the 2009 same-sex marriage law passed by the previous Legislature but stated that he has now changed his mind after discussions with gay persons that he knows and his family. Fitts also said he felt his new views were a "perfect match" with his Republican philosophy of small government.http://bangordailynews.com/2012/07/23/politics/same-sex-marriage-advocates-introduce-republican-supporters/ Same-sex marriage advocates introduce Republican supporters July 23, 2012 July 23, 2012 Pastor Bob Emerich, a spokesman for initiative opponents, dismissed the announcement as "insignificant" and questioned "why these people even call themselves Republicans."http://www.kjonline.com/news/Gay-marriage-group-to-unveil-Republican-supporters.html Marriage equality group unveils Republican supporters July 23, 2012 July 23, 2012 President Barack Obama, through a spokesperson, endorsed the initiative on October 24.Stone Matthew Obama backs Maine's same-sex marriage measure http://capitolincite.bangordailynews.com/2012/10/25/obama-backs-maines-same-sex-marriage-measure/ 25 October 2012 Bangor Daily News 25 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121028101611/http://capitolincite.bangordailynews.com/2012/10/25/obama-backs-maines-same-sex-marriage-measure/ October 28, 2012 dead mdy-all On October 25, Richard Malone, former Catholic Bishop of Portland, stated that supporting the initiative was "unfaithful to Catholic doctrine" and that Catholics whose conscience was formed through scripture could not justify voting for any candidate or referendum that opposes the teachings of the Church. He said that Catholics for Marriage Equality did not speak for the Catholic Church.http://bangordailynews.com/2012/10/25/politics/ex-maine-bishop-says-voting-for-gay-marriage-unfaithful-to-catholic-doctrine/ Former Maine bishop says voting for gay marriage 'unfaithful to Catholic doctrine' October 25, 2012 October 25, 2012 Democratic U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Mike Michaud both stated they intended to vote in favor of the referendum, while Republican U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe both stated that their policy was to not comment on state level issues. Governor Paul LePage, through his spokeswoman, also declined to offer his views on the referendum.http://www.kjonline.com/politics/most-maine-top-elected-officials-steer-clear-of-gay-marriage-issue_2012-11-04.html Most Maine top elected officials steer clear of gay-marriage issue Kennebec Journal November 5, 2012 November 21, 2012August 2026 InternetArchiveBot Collins and Snowe would both state their support for same-sex marriage after the referendum.http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/04/05/now-out-of-senate-snowe-supports-same-sex-marriage/ https://web.archive.org/web/20130408222357/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/04/05/now-out-of-senate-snowe-supports-same-sex-marriage/ dead April 8, 2013 CNN Now out of Senate, Snowe supports same-sex marriage Lisa Desjardins April 5, 2013 April 5, 2013Moretto Mario 2014-06-25 Susan Collins becomes fourth GOP senator to publicly support same-sex marriage http://www.bangordailynews.com/2014/06/25/news/susan-collins-i-support-same-sex-marriage/ 2022-09-29 Bangor Daily News en-US The referendum was declared passed on November 6, 2012 by the Associated Press, and opposition group Protect Marriage Maine conceded defeat at 1:30 am on November 7, 2012.Cover Susan Mainers vote to legalize same-sex marriage http://www.pressherald.com/politics/Same-sex-marriage-question-challenges-voters-from-the-heart.html 7 November 2012 Portland Press Herald 7 November 2012 53% of Maine voted in favor.2012-11-08 Maine 2012 General Election results — Bangor Daily News — BDN Maine http://maineelections.bangordailynews.com/ 2022-09-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20121108161941/http://maineelections.bangordailynews.com/ 8 November 2012 dead Polling Many opinion polls were done to estimate the results of the referendum. Polling were as follows. Date of opinion pollConducted bySample size(likely voters)YesNoUndecidedMargin of Error October 28–31, 2011http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_ME_1102424.pdf Maine Question 1 narrowly leads; voters want gay marriage November 2, 2011 Public Policy Polling August 21, 2024 Public Policy Polling 673 48% 35% 17% ±3.8% March 2–4, 2012http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_ME_0307.pdf Maine Has Voters Remorse on Governor LePage Public Policy Polling March 7, 2012 August 21, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20120312012635/http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_ME_0307.pdf March 12, 2012 Public Policy Polling 1,256 47% 32% 21% ±2.8% June 13–14, 2012http://www.wbur.org/2012/06/18/wbur-maine-poll WBUR Poll: Angus King Heavy Favorite To Replace Sen. Snowe June 18, 2012 WBUR August 21, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20120620063729/http://www.wbur.org/2012/06/18/wbur-maine-poll June 20, 2012https://www.scribd.com/doc/97234718/WBUR-Poll-Angus-King-Heavy-Favorite-To-Replace-Sen-Snowe :WBUR Poll: Angus King Heavy Favorite to Replace Sen. Snowe Scribd August 21, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20120621163643/https://www.scribd.com/doc/97234718/WBUR-Poll-Angus-King-Heavy-Favorite-To-Replace-Sen-Snowe June 21, 2012 MassINC Polling Group 506 55% 36% 9% ±4.4% June 20–25, 2012http://www.kjonline.com/news/support-remains-in-state-for-legalsame-sex-marriage-survey-shows_2012-07-10.html Support remains in state for legal same-sex marriage, survey shows Richardson John Central Main August 21, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20200224000657/https://www.centralmaine.com/2012/07/11/support-remains-in-state-for-legalsame-sex-marriage-survey-shows_2012-07-10/ February 24, 2020 Critical Insights 615 57% 35% 8% ±4% September 12–16, 2012http://www.kjonline.com/news/Poll-King-support-drops-but-he-still-holds-big-lead-Obama-widens-gap.html Poll: King support drops, but he still holds big lead; Obama widens gap Richardson John September 30, 2012 Kennebec Journal August 21, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20121031150254/http://www.kjonline.com/news/Poll-King-support-drops-but-he-still-holds-big-lead-Obama-widens-gap.html October 31, 2012 Critical Insights 618 57% 36% 7% ±4% September 15–17, 2012http://mprc.me/research/0912can12_results_part2.pdf Maine People's Resource Center - Public Opinion Surveyhttp://www.kjonline.com/politics/New-poll-shows-53-percent-support-same-sex-marriage.html New poll shows 53% support same-sex marriage Cover Susan M September 21, 2012 Kennebec Journal August 21, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20120924091850/http://www.kjonline.com/politics/New-poll-shows-53-percent-support-same-sex-marriage.html September 24, 2012 Maine People's Resource Center 856 53% 43% 4% ±3.35% September 17–18, 2012http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_ME_92012.pdf Maine narrowly favors gay marriage legalization September 20, 2012 Public Policy Polling August 21, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20130202150415/http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_ME_92012.pdf February 2, 2013 Public Policy Polling 804 52% 44% 4% ±3.5% September 24–28, 2012http://bangordailynews.com/2012/10/10/politics/elections/newest-poll-shows-king-with-26-point-lead-in-senate-race/ Newest poll shows King with 26-point lead in Senate race Stone Matthew October 10, 2012 Bangor Daily August 21, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20150912201108/http://bangordailynews.com/2012/10/10/politics/elections/newest-poll-shows-king-with-26-point-lead-in-senate-race/ September 12, 2015 Pan Atlantic SMS Group 400 56.6% 39% 4.5% ±4.9% October 30–31, 2012http://www.pressherald.com/news/poll-suggests-tightening-presidential-race-_2012-11-04.html Poll: Romney slicing into Obama's lead in Maine Richardson John November 3, 2012 Portland Press Herald August 21, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20121105184055/http://www.pressherald.com/news/poll-suggests-tightening-presidential-race-_2012-11-04.html November 5, 2012http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/0970b6b83d3446da965493f078dbf716/ME--Maine-Poll Romney, gay marriage opponents make up ground in poll of Maine voters November 4, 2012 The Republic August 21, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20121107002755/http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/0970b6b83d3446da965493f078dbf716/ME--Maine-Poll November 7, 2012 Critical Insights 613 55% 42% 3% ±4% November 1–2, 2012http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_ME_1102.pdf Obama, King, gay marriage favored in Maine November 2, 2012 Public Policy Polling August 21, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20121118181155/http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_ME_1102.pdf November 18, 2012 Public Policy Polling 1633 52% 45% 3% ±2.4% November 1–3, 2012http://www.mprc.me/research/mprc_1103can12.pdf MAINE PEOPLE’S RESOURCE CENTER PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY November 2012 August 21, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20121114125836/http://www.mprc.me/research/mprc_1103can12.pdf November 14, 2012 Maine People's Resource Center 905 50.5% 46.5% 2.9% ±3.26% Results 52.6% of voters voted to legalize same-sex marriage while 47.4% of voters voted not to which resulted in Maine legalizing same-sex marriage. +Breakdown of voting by countyBureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions, Elections and Voting, Results, 2012 Referendum Election https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/results/2012-13/tab-ref-2012.html 2022-09-18 www.maine.gov County Yes Votes No VotesAndroscoggin44.60%24,05255.4%28,598Aroostook33.16%11,18166.84%22,562Cumberland65.12%105,41534.88%56,865Franklin46.65%7,63953.35%8,702Hancock56.91%17,25443.09%13,149Kennebec48.75%30,78051.25%32,372Knox55.13%12,12944.87%9,876Lincoln51.86%10,66148.14%9,849Oxford45.89%13,35854.11%15,810Penobscot46.91%36,06253.09%40,865Piscataquis37.41%3,34762.59%5,600Sagadahoc54.63%11,30945.37%9,330Somerset40.28%9,93459.72%14,767Waldo51.25%10,72448.75%10,212Washington40.90%6,51259.1%9,240York56.63%60,41343.37%46,252Total52.60%370,77047.40%334,049 Aftermath Supporters of same-sex marriage celebrated the passage of the referendum.Brumfield Ben 2012-11-07 Voters approve same-sex marriage for the first time CNN Politics https://www.cnn.com/2012/11/07/politics/pol-same-sex-marriage/index.html 2022-09-29 CNN en After the referendum Matt McTighe, campaign manager of Mainers United for Marriage, stated that "A lot of families in Maine just became more stable and secure."Eckholm Erik 2012-11-07 In Maine and Maryland, Victories at the Ballot Box for Same-Sex Marriage en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/07/us/politics/same-sex-marriage-voting-election.html 2022-09-29 0362-4331 Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, stated that "Americans remain strongly in favor of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. The election results reflect the political and funding advantages our opponents enjoyed in these very liberal states."2012-11-07 Maryland, Maine, Washington approve gay marriage en Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-campaign-gaymarriage-idUSBRE8A60MG20121107 2022-09-29 The law officially took effect on December 29, 2012. See also Same-sex marriage in Maine LGBT rights in Maine Other same-sex marriage referendums Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey, 2017 2016 Bermudian same-sex union and marriage referendum 2013 Croatian constitutional referendum Irish same-sex marriage referendum, 2015 2015 Slovak same-sex marriage referendum 2015 Slovenian same-sex marriage referendum 2021 Swiss same-sex marriage referendum United States: Maine: 2009 Maine Question 1 2012 Maryland Question 6 2012 Washington Referendum 74 2012 Minnesota Amendment 1 2020 Nevada Question 2 2024 California Proposition 3 2024 Colorado Amendment J 2024 Hawaii Amendment 1 2026 Virginia Repeal Same-Sex Marriage Ban Amendment References 2 External links Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions - November 6, 2012 - General (Presidential) and Referendum Election An Act To Allow Marriage Licenses for Same-sex Couples and Protect Religious Freedom Protect Marriage Maine, opposes initiative Category:LGBTQ rights in Maine Category:LGBTQ law in the United States Category:2012 in LGBTQ history Category:2012 Maine ballot measures Category:Same-sex marriage ballot measures in the United States Category:November 2012 in the United States