Question 1:Same-sex Marriage

An Act To Allow Marriage Licenses for Same-sex Couples and Protect Religious Freedom

Outcome: Passed

Summary

This bill repeals the provision that limits marriage to one man and one woman and replaces it with the authorization for marriage between any 2 persons that meet the other requirements of Maine law. It also specifies that a marriage between 2 persons of the same sex in another state that is valid in that state is valid and must be recognized in this State.

It also provides that a member of the clergy is not required to perform and a church, religious denomination or other religious institution is not required to host a marriage in violation of the religious beliefs of that member of the clergy, church, religious denomination or other religious institution and that any such refusal 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.

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Yes

Would repeal the provision that limits marriage to one man and one woman and replaces it with the authorization for marriage between any 2 persons that meet the other requirements of Maine law.

It also specifies that a marriage between 2 persons of the same sex in another state that is valid in that state is valid and must be recognized in this State.

No

Would uphold the previous provision that limits marriage to one man and one woman and replaces it with the authorization for marriage between any 2 persons that meet the other requirements of Maine law.

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Yes

This citizen initiative will reduce Real Estate Transfer Tax collections as a result of the change in filing status of same-sex couples choosing to marry. However, eligibility and net benefits under the Maine Resident Property Tax and Rent Refund Program will also be reduced, resulting in some offsetting increases to revenue. Due to the potentially significant margin of error in identifying the number of same sex couples, the percentage choosing to marry and the timing of those marriages, a dollar impact of these tax effects is not available at this time, but the net effect of all tax effects on General Fund and Other Special Revenue Funds revenue is expected to be negligible.

The bill will also increase local revenue from marriage license fees but decrease revenue to counties from the Real Estate Transfer Tax. Again, the timing and amount of these impacts cannot be estimated at this time.

An increase in the number of marriages is expected to increase the caseload in the judicial system attributable to additional divorce proceedings.

The collection of additional filing fees may increase General Fund revenue by minor amounts.

No

No change from status quo.

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Question 1 Full textClick here to view.

Measure TypeCitizen Initiative

Funding

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Yes

Rank	Contributor name	Total
1	Loeb, Daniel	$235,000
2	Stryker, Jon	$225,000
3	Freedom to Marry	$217,138
4	Singer, Paul	$150,000
5	Tepper, David	$150,000

4.6%

4.4%

4.3%

2.9%

$5.1 million raised in total

Last updated: 10/31/2012

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No

78.0%

6.0%

1.5%

0.8%

$1.7 million raised in total

Rank	Contributor name	Total
1	National Organization for Marriage	$1,317,789
2	Knights of Columbus	$101,135
3	CitizenLink	$26,000
4	Focus on the Family	$25,000
5	Christian Civic League of Maine	$14,269