Maine Question 1, Reject Extension of Civil Rights Protections Regardless of Sexual Orientation Referendum (2005)
| Maine Question 1 | |
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| Election date |
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| Topic LGBTQ issues |
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| Status |
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| Type Veto referendum |
Origin |
Maine Question 1 was on the ballot as a veto referendum in Maine on November 8, 2005. It was defeated.
A "yes" vote was in favor of repealing the 2005 law that would prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, or public accommodations based on a person's sexual orientation. |
A "no" vote was in favor of upholding the 2005 law that would prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, or public accommodations based on a person's sexual orientation. |
Election results
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Maine Question 1 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 181,926 | 44.90% | ||
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223,274 | 55.10% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Question 1 was as follows:
| “ | Do you want to reject the new law that would protect people from discrimination in employment, housing, education, public accommodations and credit based on their sexual orientation? | ” |
Full Text
The full text of this measure is available here.
Media editorial positions
Opposition
- The New York Times said,
| “ |
The questions are designed to be brief, often to the point of being misleading or confusing. When the list is interminable, as it is in some states this year, the overwhelmed voter might be best advised to just say no. [...] In Maine, where the State Legislature recently expanded discrimination laws to include protections for homosexuals in housing, education and other areas, voters are being asked to exercise a so-called people's veto to reverse that law. In Texas, meanwhile, voters are being asked to approve an amendment cementing the current law against same-sex marriage into the State Constitution. We hope the good citizens of both states resist. [1] |
” |
| —The New York Times | ||
Path to the ballot
A veto referendum is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that asks voters whether to uphold or repeal an enacted law. This type of ballot measure is also called statute referendum, popular referendum, people's veto, or citizen's veto. There are 23 states that allow citizens to initiate veto referendums.
In Maine, the number of signatures required for a veto referendum is equal to 10% of the total votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial election prior to the filing of such petition. Signatures for veto referendums are due 90 days following the final adjournment of the legislative session at which the targeted bill was passed. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ The New York Times, "That Flurry of Ballot Questions," November 5, 2005
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State of Maine Augusta (capital) |
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