“People’s veto effort” likely if gay-marriage becomes law in Maine

Posted on May 2, 2009
Filed Under Uncategorized

UGUSTA — Michael Heath of the Maine Family Policy Council announced this week he will work to gather the signatures necessary for a people’s veto of the gay-marriage bill.

A few things need to happen first, but during Senate debate Thursday, many senators said they felt it was inevitable that the question would end up before voters.

The Senate voted Thursday 22-14 in favor of the bill. It will be taken up in the House Tuesday, then come back to the Senate for a final vote.

From there, it goes to Gov. John Baldacci, who has not taken a position on the bill.

Assuming he doesn’t veto it, it would be set to take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns. Adjournment is set for June 17, give or take a day or two.

This is where the people’s veto comes in.

Heath and others would have 90 days from the date of adjournment to gather 55,087 signatures.

Julie Flynn, deputy secretary of state, said any group wanting to turn in signatures for a people’s veto would have until Sept. 15 to submit signatures. Her office would then have 30 days to determine whether there are enough valid signatures to call for a public vote.

However, in order to make the November ballot, groups would have to turn in signatures by Sept. 3 or 4, because it must be at least 60 days before the election, she said.

If not, the question wouldn’t go to voters until June.

See

People’s veto effort likely in wake of gay-marriage debate Kennebec Journal