Maine Secretary of State Certifies The Petitions For The People's Veto Recall Of Marriage Equality.

Gay Marriage Question Officially On Ballot
Ken Christian, Information Center Content Manager

AUGUSTA (AP) -- Maine election officials say gay marriage foes have reached the threshold of petitions necessary to put the state law on the November ballot.

The gay marriage law was supposed to go into effect this month, but it was put on hold as the secretary of state's office verified the number of petitions. With the signatures validated, Gov. John Baldacci on Wednesday signed a formal proclamation putting the matter to a statewide vote on Nov. 3.

Jesse Connolly of Project Maine Equality said in a statement,

“This was a quarter-of-a-million dollar signature effort by a Michigan firm, and it highlights the stark differences in our campaigns. Theirs is a cynical, pay-for-every signature approach that doesn't reflect the homegrown values of our state.

“By contrast, we have put our trust in the common sense and fair mindedness of our friends, neighbors and co-workers. And that's why we believe voters will reject Question 1 because here in Maine, we believe everyone should be allowed to live their lives and be treated equally under the law.”

Meanwhile the opposition organization, “Stand for Marriage Maine” members are being investigated for alleged illegal fundraising. According to the Edge in an article said…

Fred Karger, founder of Californians Against Hate, sent a letter to the Maine Commission on Government Ethics and Election Practices on Aug. 25. It contained allegations religious organizations are hiding contributions to the Stand for Marriage Maine campaign. The letter reports how the National Organization for Marriage, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, the national office of the Knights of Columbus and Focus on the Family had contributors give the money to their organizations, and in turn gave the money to the Stand for Marriage Maine to hide the donors’ identity.

In addition the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) is being investigated in Iowa for violating Iowa campaign finance law. An article in the Iowa Independent said…

The state’s largest gay rights organization and a progressive religious group have filed a formal complaint against the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board.

One Iowa and the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa filed the complaint Monday alleging that NOM, a New Jersey-based group that opposes same-sex marriage, violated Iowa campaign finance law in their Iowa House District 90 campaign.

“NOM has complete disregard of Iowa law as they engage in express advocacy in our state, while refusing to release the identity of their donors, as is legally required in Iowa law,” the complaint said. “NOM has a history of funneling secret money throughout the country to engage in similar activity.”

Also, the Lavender Newswire reported that NOM has violated federal reporting laws for non-profits…

Finally, the National Organization for Marriage has violated federal reporting laws. It has steadfastly refused to release its IRS Form 990s despite repeated requests from several organizations, including ours and the news media. National Organization for Marriage, Inc. was formed in 2007 as a nonprofit corporation, exempt from taxation under section 501(c)4 of the Internal Revenue Code . In 2008, National Organization for Marriage Educational Fund, was formed as a nonprofit corporation exempt from taxation under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

We have visited NOM’s offices and sent certified letters requesting copies of what are supposed to be publicly available organizational reports. Yet, NOM refuses to release any of its federal financial documents, in violation of federal law.

You can help by volunteering or supporting…
Project Maine Equality
or
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD)