Same-Sex Marriage Ban to Become Law

Gov. Angus King said he will not veto a citizen-initiated ban on same-sex marriages, although he believes it is unneeded and unconstitutional. King said he will allow the measure, approved by the state Legislature, to become law without his signature. A veto would have required voters to decide the issue in a referendum in November. The ban was proposed by Concerned Maine Families, which collected more than 60,000 signatures to put the measure on the ballot. Under state law, legislators can avoid holding an election by enacting the measure directly into law. A court challenge to the ban is expected.