Same-Sex Couples to Marry in Maine (Gay Marriage Law)

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Voters in Maine Will Decide Fate of Same-Sex Marriage Law

Election officials announced Wednesday that opponents of the state’s same-sex marriage law had gathered more than enough voters’ signatures to put the issue to a vote in November, setting the stage for a furious, two-month campaign that will determine whether the number of states allowing the nuptials shrinks to five.

Maine’s law, passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor in May, was supposed to go into effect on Sept. 12. Meanwhile, the secretary of state’s office was verifying the number of signatures. With the signatures validated, Gov. John Baldacci, a Democrat, signed a formal proclamation on Wednesday putting the law to a statewide vote on Nov. 3.

Maine became the fifth state to allow same-sex marriage when Mr. Baldacci signed the bill on May 6, and New Hampshire became the sixth when Gov. John Lynch, also a Democrat, signed a bill less than a month later. New Hampshire’s law goes into effect on Jan. 1.

Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts and Vermont also allow same-sex couples to marry.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/03/us/03maine.html