Imagine what it would feel like if the person you loved couldn't pass their social security to you when they passed away. Imagine how it would feel to have your parents-in-law strip you of your spouse's home after your spouse's death. Imagine what it would feel like to have to argue with a doctor over whether or not you were your child's parent when he or she is sick. Imagine your child being told that his or her parents aren't really his parents.
These are the scenarios Mainer's are being asked to face on November 3rd at the ballot box. Today Daily Kos is releasing a poll of Mainers regarding the question of Marriage equality, which is up for a public vote. At this point the news isn't good (it isn't awful either, but more on that later). Hopefully the people working for equality in Maine will take notice, and work on changing hearts and minds as, once again, the rights given by the government to a minority go to majority vote. However, for those of you who aren't in Maine, the people in Maine need your help to create a world where all families are respected and treated equally.
What does the poll say? Breakdown below the fold, plus what you can do to help (as it is really needed).
The results of the poll by DailyKos/Research2000 can be found here on Kos. The poll addresses current opinion of elected officials along with the question of whether or not marriage equality, as passed by the legislature, should remain as a law. Similar to prop 8, the forces of marriage equality need 'No' votes on this people's veto in order to leave the law on the books. The law in question is the "An Act to Prevent Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom."
The wording that Mainer's will see on the ballot will read as follows:
"Do you want to reject the new law that lets same-sex couples marry and allows individuals and religious groups to refuse to perform these marriages?"
As was the case with Proposition 8, the response that leaves marriage equality on the books is a 'No' vote.
So back to the polls, what do they say? There was a question asked directly about the ballot question. The wording was specific and answers should follow the same pattern of yes/no that voters will vote this fall.
As you may know there will be one question on the ballot this November in Maine addressing the issue of same-sex unions. In part it will read "Do you want to reject the new law that lets same-sex couples marry?" A yes vote takes away the right of same-sex couples to marry. A no vote keeps the right of same-sex couples to marry. If the election were held today would you vote YES or NO on this question?
Voter response breaks down as follows (Yes / No / Unsure):
All: 48 / 46 / 6
Men: 52 / 43 / 5
Women: 44 / 49 / 7
One thing to note here is that the poll's margin of error is +/- 4%, so these values may overlap or switch slightly, but this is likely to be a nail-bitter of a ballot issue.
Response by Party Affiliation shouldn't surprise anyone:
Democrats: 31 / 60 / 9
Republicans: 74 / 20 / 6
Independants: 45 / 52 / 3
Response by age is pretty similar to the breakdowns previously seen:
18-29: 43 / 52 / 5
30-44: 45 / 49 / 6
45-59: 51 / 44 / 5
60+: 55 / 38 / 7
Basically the results we saw in California have held up in Maine. Older voters favor it less than younger, and republicans favor it less than democrats. With a off-cycle ballot issue this really becomes a game of voter education and voter turnout. The Maine No on 1 campaign has released a series of ads that are good or moderately good (though several people believe they could be better in a number of aspects). These ads need funding, desperately. The opposition is being funded by the church and national organizations and has a much larger pull in monetary value than the No on 1 campaign does. While No on 1 does have some good ads, they aren't getting near the air time that they should in order to have a large impact. The campaign has been good about being responsive to attacks, but has not had the leverage (or willpower) to preemptively debunk the myths about gay marriage. Voters will have the ability to vote on this ballot as early as October, so we need to be active Now!
I have seen how quickly and powerfully this body of people can be motivated. While this does not have the impact that screaming 'You Lie!' in the middle of the president's speech has, this cause is just as important, if not more so. The lives of many LGBT citizens in Maine will be voted on this fall. With polling as close as it is they need your help more now than ever. The ways you can help include:
Donate! - a $35 donation gets an ad on local daytime TV, $100 gets an ad on primetime network TV. Please help keep these ads rolling. (ActBlue also has a site dedicated to No on 1, and No on 1 does their donation automation through ActBlue. Currently nearly $600,000 has been donated to No on 1. Please keep it rolling! To put this in perspective the Catholic church has raised $700,000 for one ad alone. That's what we're up against!)
Take a Vacation! - There are 4 weeks in which Maine is encouraging people to take a week from their daily life and come help support marriage equality in the state. The dates are:
WEEK #1: Sun, Oct 4 – Sun, Oct 11 (Arrive Sat, Oct 3. Orientation Sun, Oct 4. Depart Sun, Oct 11)
WEEK #2: Sun, Oct 11 – Sun, Oct 18 (Arrive Sat, Oct 10. Orientation Sun, Oct 11. Depart Sun, Oct 18)
WEEK #3: Sun, Oct 18 – Sun, Oct 25 (Arrive Sat, Oct 17. Orientation Sun, Oct 18. Depart Sun, Oct 25)
WEEK #4: Sun, Oct 25 – Wednesday, Nov 4 (Arrive Sat, Oct 24. Orientation Sun, Oct 25. Depart Sun, Nov 1)
Volunteer from home! - No on 1 could always use more help in getting the vote out and getting people informed. If you have time or means to help in any other way, please consider how important this is to the people being voted on.
Lastly, I want to leave you with a sense of what's at stake. The two video's I'm going to end with are an ad running in Maine from No on 1, and an Ad running in Ireland on marriage equality.
Sam Putnum's Family:
Sinead's Hand:
Transcript of Sam Putnum's Family Ad:
Sam Putnum: I'm Sam Putnum and I have two moms. We are the average family. I consider my Mom's partner my stepmom but society doesn't. My school doesn't, my doctor doesn't, sometimes my friend's parents don't either. My family doesn't mean to other people what it means to me.
Jennifer Putnum: We are just like a lot of other families in Maine. We have our ups and downs, we stick together, and we love each other.
Sam Putnum: We can't be seen as lesser, and if you vote No then it'll help change that. Please do the right thing.
Transcript from Sinead's Hand:
Hi I'd like to ask for Sinead's hand in marriage please.
Sure no Problem.
Hi I'd like to ask for Sinead's hand in marriage please.
Ok.
Hi I'd like to ask for Sinead's hand in marriage please.
--Gaelic--
I'd like to ask for Sinead's hand in marriage please.
Hello I'd like to ask for Sinead's hand in marriage please.
Hey can I ask for Sinead's hand in marriage please?
I'd like to ask for Sinead's hand in marriage please.