Maine gay marriage foes get enough signatures to block law, put it to statewide vote

Gay marriage foes reach signature goal in Maine

PORTLAND, Maine — Gay marriage foes in Maine say they’ve collected enough signatures to stop a new law from going into effect and to force a statewide vote.

Mark Mutty from the Stand for Marriage Maine coalition said Wednesday it took four weeks to gather the more than 55,000 signatures necessary to put gay marriage to a vote.

The law allowing gay marriage was scheduled to take effect Sept. 12 but will be put on hold after the signatures are submitted and certified.

Six states allow gay marriage. Maine became the fifth to allow gay marriage in May, and New Hampshire followed suit.