Gay marriage opponents need 55,000-plus signatures to get marriage repeal question on the ballot
PLYMOUTH, Maine — A leader of efforts to repeal Maine’s new gay marriage law through a people’s veto referendum says nearly 5,000 petitions have been distributed so volunteers can collect signatures.
Rev. Bob Emrich told the Bangor Daily News that 8,000 petitions have been printed so far. To place the repeal question on a statewide ballot, petitioners must gather 55,087 signatures of registered voters.
Emrich, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Plymouth, is suggesting people have an open house and invite friends and neighbors to sign a petition.
Members of EqualityMaine, which led a coalition supporting the bill, will hold meetings this week in Portland, Lewiston-Auburn and York County to brief volunteers on the people’s veto process and continue identifying voters who support same-sex marriage.
Information from: Bangor Daily News, www.bangornews.com