Marriage rights were stolen away from Maine's same-sex couples in 2009. But following a new poll showing 54 percent majority of residents support marriage equality and with nearly double the amount of signatures required to return the matter to the voters gathered, today Equality Maine and Gay & Lesbian Advocates are happy to an opportunity to bring equality to same-sex couples will be included on the 2012 ballot. Details follow.

A 2009 referendum overturned marriage equality in Maine but the "issue" will go back to voters later this year. LGBT activists have announced the collection of 105,000 signatures to put marriage equality on the Maine ballot, nearly double the required amount of 57,000. 

"Marriage is going to be decided at the ballot box,” Betsy Smith, Executive Director of Equality Maine, said. “We feel very comfortable about winning, it’s the reason we made a decision to go."

The group also released a new poll which finds 54 percent of Maine voters support marriage rights for same-sex couples, while only 42 percent oppose. Further details on the announced ballot initiative will be revealed soon, but a tentative (and wordy) title has been unveiled as "An Act to Allow Marriage Licenses For Same-Sex Couples and Protect Religious Freedoms."

(Source and image source: ThinkProgress)

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