Cross posted from Dirigo Blue
Carroll Conley, head of the Christian Civic League of Maine (CCLM), sent an email this morning urging opponents of same-sex marriage to contact Sec. of State Charlie Summers regarding the wording of the marriage question on this November's ballot.
Conley is listed as the vice chair of Protect Marriage Maine, the lead group opposing the ballot question; Bob Emrich is the chair of the PAC (Emrich was involved in the 2009 peoples veto of a similar law). Brian Brown, head of the Mormon front group National Organization for Marriage (NOM) is listed with Emrich and Conley as "primary fundraisers and decision makers" for the PAC.
Last week, Summers released the wording of the ballot question, which is:
Do you want to allow same-sex couples to marry?
Conley urged recipients of the email to contact Sec. Summers and "use these talking points to create your own message":
1. Thank the Secretary of State and his staff for excluding the misleading and redundant language about 'protecting religious liberty' and for keeping the question succinct and clear.
2. Urge Secretary Summers to resist pressure that will re-introduce this "red herring" language concerning religious liberty.
3. While we are thankful for the re-wording that includes the word "want," we respectfully ask him to consider changing it to either "change Maine law" or "redefine marriage."
4. Our goal is to promote the ideal environment for raising children. We are committed to being respectful to our opposition and not demonizing our opponents. We will not use visceral language or backstab those who disagree with us.
The "red herring" of "redundant language about 'protecting religious liberty' " to which Conley objects is this:
19-A MRSA §655.3. Religious exemption. This chapter does not require any member of the clergy to perform or any church, religious denomination or other religious institution to host any marriage in violation of the religious beliefs of that member of the clergy, church, religious denomination or other religious institution. The refusal to perform or host a marriage under this subsection cannot be the basis for a lawsuit or liability and does not affect the tax-exempt status of the church, religious denomination or other religious institution.
Talking point 3. asks Sec. Summers to remove any reference to "marriage" completely from the question. Maine law is clear (21-A MRSA §906.B.) that the "Secretary of State shall write the question in a simple, clear, concise and direct manner that describes the subject matter."
Conley's goal is obviously to keep any reference to the religious protections that are part of the proposed law off the ballot, in order to make it seem like an unreasonable change to Maine statutes.
There is a 30 day period in which the public can comment on the wording of this ballot question, which ends 16 July. You can send your comments to this email address: sos.office@maine.gov
Those wanting more information about how they can help pass an equal marriage law in Maine can visit Mainers United.