A majority of Mainers support equal
marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples.
A poll commissioned by the Portland
Press Herald found that 57 percent of Mainers support
legalizing gay marriage, while 35 percent remain opposed.
Marriage equality supporters are
returning the issue to the ballot box after voters in 2009 narrowly
repealed a marriage law approved by lawmakers with a “people's
veto,” known as Question 1. If approved, Maine would become the
first state to legalize such unions with a popular vote.
James Melcher, an associate professor
of political science at the University of Maine in Farmington, said
that while the poll numbers are good news for supporters attitudes
could change by Election Day.
“More than most election issues,
that's an issue where you have to take [polling] numbers with a grain
of salt. I think those numbers will be closer on Election Day,”
Melcher told the paper. “That said, I think there's been a lot of
momentum in favor of same-sex marriage around the country.”
A large majority of Democrats (77%)
support the measure, while only 30 percent of Republicans agree.
(Related: Maine
churches fundraise against gay marriage on Father's Day.)