2009 Maine Question 1 Explained

Question 1: Citizen Initiative
People's Veto
An Act To End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom
Yes:300,848
No:267,828
Total:568,676
Map:2009 Maine Question 1 results map by county.svg
Mapcaption:YesNo
Date:November 3, 2009
Country:Maine

Maine Question 1 was a voter referendum conducted in Maine in the United States in 2009 that rejected a law legalizing same-sex marriage in the state. The measure passed 53–47% on November 3, 2009.

The outcome of the referendum was reversed three years later when voters approved 2012 Maine Question 1, which legalized same-sex marriage in the state again.

Legislation

In January 2009, a bill called "An Act To End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom" was introduced in the Maine Legislature. The bill would legalize same-sex marriage and require Maine to recognize other same-sex marriages that were performed out of state. However, the bill also specifies that religious institutions would not be forced into performing same-sex marriages and could deny them if it comes into conflict with their beliefs.[1] [2] [3]

On April 30, 2009, the Maine Senate rejected an amendment to put the issue up for a voter referendum 22–13 and passed the bill 21–14.[4] [5] On May 5, 2009, the Maine House of Representatives passed the bill 89–57,[6] [7] and on the following day, Governor John Baldacci signed the bill into law to take effect 90 days thereafter.[8] [9]

Ballot question efforts and fundraising

On May 7, 2009, opponents of the law filed the necessary paperwork to launch a campaign to put the law up for a vote in the November elections, giving them until 90 days after the legislature adjourned to collect at least 55,087 valid signatures to put the measure on the ballot.[10] In June 2009, Stand for Marriage Maine, the coalition group leading the veto effort, announced it had hired Schubert Flint Public Affairs, which had worked on the Proposition 8 effort in California, to handle public relations for the veto effort.[11] In July 2009, No on 1/Protect Maine Equality was formed to oppose the veto. On September 2, 2009, the secretary of state of Maine verified that the opponents of the law had submitted a sufficient number of valid signatures and certified the ballot question for November.[12] [13]

The National Organization for Marriage (NOM), an anti-same-sex-marriage group, was the primary contributor to Stand For Marriage Maine, the organization that led the "yes on Question 1" campaign.[14] NOM contributed over $1.6 million to Stand For Marriage Maine; by reports as of October 2009, NOM had contributed 63% of that group's funding.[15] [16]

Polling

Question 1 asked: "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?" [17]

Date of opinion pollConducted bySample size
(likely voters)		YesNoUndecidedMargin of Error
September 14–16, 2009[18] Research 2000600 48% 46% 6% ±4.0%
September 23–27, 2009[19] Democracy Corps 808 41% 50% 9% ±3.5%
September 30 – October 7, 2009[20] Pan Atlantic 401 42.9% 51.8% 5.3% ±4.9%
October 16–19, 2009[21] Public Policy Polling1130 48% 48% 4% ±2.9%
October 20–22, 2009[22] Pan Atlantic 400 42% 53% 4% ±4.9%
October 26–28, 2009[23] Research 2000600 47% 48% 5% ±4.0%
October 31 – November 1, 2009[24] Public Policy Polling1133 51% 47% 2% ±2.9%

Results

The referendum was held on November 3, 2009. Voting "Yes" on the referendum would repeal the law while voting "No" would uphold the law.[25] After the referendum ended, the results showed that 52.9% of voters voted yes on repealing the law while 47.1% of voters voted no.[26]

Post-election

Reactions from campaigns

Just after midnight on election night, consultant Frank Schubert of Stand for Marriage Maine declared, "The institution of marriage has been protected in Maine and across this nation."[27] The No on 1/Protect Maine Equality campaign conceded defeat two hours later.[28] Supporters of same-sex marriage pledged to continue the fight, while opponents said they would work to introduce a constitutional amendment to ban legal recognition of same-sex unions.[29]

Campaign finance lawsuits involving referendum proponents

In 2009, the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices voted, 3–2, to investigate the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) for campaign finance violations; the Commission overrode the recommendation of their staff. Maine law required organizations soliciting more than $5,000 for ballot question campaigns to file disclosure reports.[30] NOM had contributed $1.6 million to Stand For Marriage Maine without filing any disclosure reports.[16] NOM filed suit, claiming that Maine's election laws violated the Constitution.[16] [30] The suit was unsuccessful; the district court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit upheld the constitutionality of the challenged Maine election laws,[31] including the disclosure and reporting requirements for political action committees and ballot question committees.National Organization for Marriage, Inc. v. McKee, 649 F.3d 34 (1st Cir. 2011) (NOM I); National Organization for Marriage, Inc. v. McKee, 669 F.3d 34 (1st Cir. 2012) (NOM II). The Supreme Court declined to hear further appeals from NOM.[32] [33]

Separately, in 2014, the Commission issued a $50,250 fine to NOM,[34] after investigators determined that the national NOM organization "intentionally set up its fundraising strategy to avoid disclosure laws" when it solicited donations for the clear purpose of aiding the 2009 Maine campaign. The Commission instructed NOM to file a campaign finance disclosure form (which would include the names of donors).[35] NOM unsuccessfully appealed in the state courts, and in August 2015, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court denied NOM's attempt for a stay on releasing the list while its case against a prior Ethics Commission ruling was pending.[36] [37] NOM paid the fine and disclosed its donors list that month.[37]

2012 referendum repealing 2009 referendum

On November 6, 2012, another referendum was held on whether to legalize same-sex marriage[38] 53% of voters voted yes, thus overturning the 2009 Maine Question 1 referendum, and marking the first success for same-sex marriage in a ballot measure.[39]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://articles.cnn.com/2009-01-14/politics/maine.same.sex.marriage_1_same-sex-marriage-civil-unions-john-baldacci?_s=PM:POLITICS Bill would allow same-sex marriage in Maine
  2. News: 2009-01-14 . Battle over gay marriage shifts to Maine . en . Reuters . 2022-09-02 . 2022-08-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220811020722/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gaymarriage-maine-idUSTRE50D08A20090114 . live .
  3. Web site: An Act To End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom . Maine State Legislature . https://web.archive.org/web/20220705091049/https://mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/SP038401.pdf . 2022-07-05 . live.
  4. Web site: Miller . Kevin . 2009-04-30 . State Senate backs gay-marriage bill . 2022-09-02 . Bangor Daily News . en-US . 2022-09-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220902144319/https://www.bangordailynews.com/2009/04/30/news/state-senate-backs-gaymarriage-bill/ . live .
  5. News: Goodnough . Abby . 2009-04-30 . Maine Senate Backs Same-Sex Marriage . en-US . The New York Times . 2022-09-02 . 0362-4331 . 2014-11-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141119190604/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/01/us/01maine.html . live .
  6. Web site: Harrison . Judy . 2009-05-05 . Maine House passes gay marriage bill . 2022-09-02 . Bangor Daily News . en-US . 2022-09-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220902144321/https://www.bangordailynews.com/2009/05/05/news/maine-house-passes-gay-marriage-bill/ . live .
  7. News: 2009-05-05 . Maine takes step toward approving gay marriage . en . Reuters . 2022-09-02 . 2016-06-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160602114109/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-gaymarriage-maine-idUSTRE5445S220090505 . live .
  8. Web site: Yvonne Abraham . Gay marriage law signed in Maine, advances in N.H . Boston.com . 2009-05-06 . 2011-12-20 . 2013-10-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131021031814/http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/05/gay_marriage_la.html . live .
  9. Web site: Latest News: Office of Governor Paul LePage . 2022-09-02 . www.maine.gov . 2022-01-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220120234952/https://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=Gov+News&id=72146&v=Article-2006 . live .
  10. Web site: People's Veto Drive Initiated . Wabi.tv . 2009-05-08 . 2011-12-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110929000251/http://www.wabi.tv/news/5816/peoples-veto-drive-initiated . 2011-09-29 . dead .
  11. Web site: Maine gay marriage foes hire Calif. Prop 8 firm . Guardian . 2009-06-18 . 2011-12-20 . 2022-09-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220921214225/https://www.theguardian.com/info/2015/dec/09/removed-news-agency-feed-article . live .
  12. Web site: Miller . Kevin . 2009-09-02 . Gay marriage repeal on ballot . 2022-09-02 . Bangor Daily News . en-US . 2022-09-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220902144317/https://www.bangordailynews.com/2009/09/02/news/gay-marriage-repeal-on-ballot/ . live .
  13. Web site: 2009-10-23 . People's Veto of Bill to Allow Same-sex Marriage Certified by Secretary of State . 2022-09-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091023123404/https://www.maine.gov/sos/news/2009/certified-peoples-veto.htm . 2009-10-23 .
  14. https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/30/us/30maine.html Setback for Group Fighting Gay Marriage in Maine
  15. Web site: Public Campaign Finance Page for the State of Maine . Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics & Election Practices . March 8, 2010 . dead . https://archive.today/20130111054908/http://www.mainecampaignfinance.com/public/report_list.asp?TYPE=PAC&ID=4477 . January 11, 2013 . mdy-all .
  16. News: Money fueling battle over gay marriage . Bangor Daily News . March 8, 2010 . https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20091101183347/http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/126665.html . November 1, 2009 . dead . mdy-all .
  17. Web site: Maine Same-Sex Marriage People's Veto, Question 1 (2009) . 2022-08-12 . Ballotpedia . en . 2022-08-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220812162034/https://ballotpedia.org/Maine_Same-Sex_Marriage_People%27s_Veto%2C_Question_1_%282009%29 . live .
  18. Web site: ME-Init: Gay marriage all tied up, heading into November . 2012-02-22 . 2016-03-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234527/http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/09/18/783757/-ME-Init-Gay-marriage-all-tied-up-heading-into-November?via=search . live .
  19. Web site: 2009-10-07 . Democracy Corps – Maine; Frequency Questionnaire . 2022-09-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091007160241/https://www.democracycorps.com/wp-content/files/mesw092709fq1me.pdf . 2009-10-07 .
  20. Web site: Poll: 51.8% plan to vote no on question 1 | Maine News Updates . Updates.pressherald.mainetoday.com . 2011-12-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091016231405/http://updates.pressherald.mainetoday.com/updates/poll-518-plan-to-vote-no-on-question-1 . 2009-10-16 . dead .
  21. Web site: Maine split on gay marriage question . 2012-02-22 . 2016-03-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063903/http://publicpolicypolling.typepad.com/pdf/2009/PPP_Release_ME_1020.pdf . live .
  22. Web site: Swanson . Emily . Political Surveys and Election Polls, Trends, Charts and Analysis . https://archive.today/20120907083621/http://www.pollster.com/blogs/me_marriage_pan_atlantic_10202.php . dead . 2012-09-07 . Pollster.com . 2009-10-26 . 2011-12-20 .
  23. Web site: ME-Init: Still tied . 2022-09-02 . Daily Kos . 2016-03-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160306033346/http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/10/29/798499/- . live .
  24. Web site: TABOR Going Down, Gay Marriage Still Close . 2012-02-22 . 2013-03-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130328232110/http://publicpolicypolling.typepad.com/pdf/2009/PPP_Release_ME_1102.pdf . live .
  25. Web site: Question ready for petition against gay marriage . Updates.mainetoday.com . 2011-12-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090530121646/http://updates.mainetoday.com/updates/question-ready-for-petition-against-gay-marriage . 2009-05-30 . dead .
  26. News: Goodnough . Abby . 2009-11-04 . Gay Rights Rebuke May Change Approach . en-US . The New York Times . 2022-09-01 . 0362-4331 . 2022-09-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220901211159/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/us/05marriage.html . live .
  27. Web site: Same-sex marriage supporters concede defeat . Updates.pressherald.mainetoday.com . 2011-12-20 . https://archive.today/20110714021731/http://updates.pressherald.mainetoday.com/updates/same-sex-marriage-supporters-concede-defeat . 2011-07-14 . dead .
  28. Web site: Fight goes on over marriage . Pressherald.com . 2010-03-04 . 2011-12-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110807114918/http://www.pressherald.com/archive/fight-goes-on-over-marriage_2009-11-04.html . 2011-08-07 . dead .
  29. Web site: 2009-11-07 . Backers of same-sex marriage pledge to keep up Maine fight. The Boston Globe . 2022-09-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091107061258/https://boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/11/backers_of_same.html . 2009-11-07 .
  30. News: Kevin Miller. Anti-gay marriage group sues state. Bangor Daily News. October 28, 2009.
  31. Web site: First Circuit Rules Against Anti-gay Marriage Group in Campaign-Finance Suits. August 12, 2011. Wall Street Journal.
  32. Web site: No High Court Review of Maine Election Reforms. Courthouse News Service. January 31, 2012.
  33. News: Long. Robert. U.S. Supreme Court rejects anti-gay marriage group's appeal of Maine's donor disclosure law. October 1, 2012 . Bangor News. October 1, 2012.
  34. Steve Mistler, Maine ethics panel ratifies fine against anti-gay marriage group, Press-Herald (June 25, 2014).
  35. News: Maine fines national anti-gay marriage group. Associated Press News . May 28, 2014. Alanna Durkin.
  36. https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=6794313946845219755 National Organization for Marriage v. Commission on Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices
  37. News: Cousins. Christopher. National Organization for Marriage files 2009 donors list. August 24, 2015. Maine Sun Journal. August 24, 2015. September 24, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924111714/http://www.sunjournal.com/news/0001/11/30/national-organization-marriage-files-2009-donors-list/1769046. live.
  38. Web site: Secretary of State Announces the Order of November Ballot Questions . 2022-09-02 . www.maine.gov . 2020-10-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201018151502/https://www.maine.gov/sos/news/2012/ballotquestionorder.html . live .
  39. Web site: Fetters . Ashley . 2012-11-07 . Same-Sex Marriage Wins on the Ballot for the First Time in American History . 2022-09-02 . The Atlantic . en . 2022-09-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220902170156/https://www.theatlantic.com/sexes/archive/2012/11/same-sex-marriage-wins-on-the-ballot-for-the-first-time-in-american-history/264704/ . live .

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