Maine governor signs same-sex marriage legislation

Earlier on this blog, I reported that on April 30, 2009, the Maine Senate voted 21 to 14 in favor of a bill that would authorize same-sex marriage. Then I reported that on May 5, 2009, the Maine House of Representatives also approved this bill.

On May 6, 2009, Maine Governor John Baldacci signed the bill indicating that he believed same-sex couples were entitled to equal protection under Maine laws.

According to Abby Goodnough, Maine Governor Signs Same-Sex Marriage Bill, NY Times, May 6, 2009:

Yet gay couples may not be able to wed in Maine anytime soon. Laws typically go into effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns, which is usually in late June. But opponents have vowed to pursue a “people’s veto,” or a public referendum, in which Maine voters could overturn the law.

The opponents would be required to collect about 55,000 signatures within 90 days of the Legislature’s adjourning to get a referendum question on the ballot. If they succeeded, the law would be suspended until a vote could be held. Depending on how soon signatures were collected, that would be in November or the following June.