What will happen in Maine? With the veto and perhaps an amendment?

[cecilfirefox]

How do you all think it will go? More importantly, does anyone have any polling numbers there? I'm very frightened we'll have rights stripped away from Americans again. It's just so sickening I can barely stand to think about it.

[moose65]

1. What veto??

There was no veto. The governor signed the bill in Maine. The veto was in Vermont, and it was overridden the next day.

[Athelwulf]

11. The OP is talking about a people's veto.

Mainers have the ability to challenge any bill the legislature passes and the governor signs into law. If they can get (if I remember the number right) about 55,000 valid signatures (some percentage of those who voted in the last gubernatorial election) and submit them within 90 days after the legislature's session is over (expected to be mid-September, I think), then it will be put on the ballot, and the people can vote it up or down.

[Ian David]

2. If they don't over-ride the veto, they'll have no problem passing it with the amendment.

Marriage Equality in Maine is practically a done-deal.

THAT battle, for all intents and purposes, has been won.

Actually, this may be good news.

The reich-wing will have to spend piles of more money trying to influence elected officials who have already voted in favor of equality to find some reason to try and switch their votes.

I'm not saying you shouldn't be on the phone to your congress-critters every day, writing letters to the editor, protesting, marching, and donating money. By all means, please do.

Don't be complacent. Don't just go out and feed the puffins all day, or whatever it is people in Maine do for fun.

But the upside of this is that this is now going to cost the fundies a boatload more money to try and fight their losing battle.

And this debate will be good. People will see that Marriage Equality does not take away people's rights, in ANY way.

People will give speeches about how the amendment only reiterates what was already true, before all this time was wasted.

[MADem]

3. Are you thinking about NH??? I am seeing some nasty ads from rightwing nutcases on TV

telling the governor NOT TO SIGN under pain of death. The governor says he will sign it if they add language about letting churches discriminate without getting into trouble for it. The wingers are putting up lots of ads on TV saying "Call the governor and tell him he's screwed if he signs the thing" (well, not exactly that, but on those lines).

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/national/northeast/view/2009_05_17_Gay_marriage_caught_fire_after_NH_House_reversal/srvc=home&position=recent

[NWHarkness]

4. I think you are referring to the "People's Veto"

Maine has a "People's Veto" law, in which citizens can petition to put a referendum on the ballot to overturn an act of the legislature.

At this point, several groups have filed that they will do so. However, the dates during which they may do so are set by when the current session of the legislature ends. So, any exact scheduling on what happens next is still up in the air.

Depending on when the legislative session ends, a referendum would either be this November, or next June , when the 2010 primaries will be held.

To be perfectly clear, a people's veto merely overturns the legislation, it DOES NOT amend or in any way change the state constitution. If the anti-marriage forces get their referendum and win it, the legislature is free to pass the bill again in the next session.

[cecilfirefox]

5. Peoples veto is what I'm referring to. The Governor of New Hampshire will sign the bill,

I'm asking about referendums in Maine and, I suppose, NH.

[NWHarkness]

7. I can't speak on NH

But, as a Dem County Chair in Maine, I can give you the straight dope on what's going on here. :)

[NWHarkness]

6. Just to add...

The anti-marriage forces wil need to get about 55,000 signatures in order to get a referendum. I doubt they wil have much trouble getting them.

But, with the great work Equality Maine and the MCLU have done organizing on this issue, I think we can beat them.

The Maine Democratic State Committee unanimously approved a resolution supporting marriage equality at our meeting today, which means that, if there is a referendum, MDP staff can help get out the pro-marriage vote.

[cecilfirefox]

9. I hope we can win... I'd say start printing bumber stickers and campaign material now! nt

[msongs]

8. the jesus cult wants to control everything - except themselves nt

[RetiredTrotskyite]

10. OK, So now how many states have marriage equality?

I hope this stupid People's veto doesn't get on the ballot, let alone passed. Jeezus kee-rist! If you don't want a gay marriage, then don't marry someone the same gender as you. Yep more of this fundie crap of wanting to control everyone but themselves.

[Athelwulf]

12. Five: MA, CT, IA, VT, and ME. n/t