Please tell me someone can take the Maine GLBT vote to the courts

[LynneSin]

This is an off-year election so I highly doubt there was a high voter turn-out to begin with.

So knowing that less than 50% of the eligible voting population turned out for this election, you could be talking about less than 25% of the population of Maine making a choice for the other 75%.

Does this stupid vote have a chance in the courts to be overturned?

[emulatorloo]

1. Sounds to me like there was an effective "Get Out The Teabagger Vote"

I sure hope it can be challenged in court. Prejudiced people should not be allowed to vote on people's civil rights.

[VMI Dem]

2. I think we should just let backward bigoted fucks vote on all our civil rights.

Limitless guns and 6 hours of prayer in school every day!

[dionysus]

3. how do you challenge the legality of a voter referendum?

[el_bryanto]

4. I think it would be hard unless you could prove that the other 75% were not permitted to vote

I mean they had the choice to go to the polls if they wanted to.

Bryant

[Mz Pip]

5. It's being done here in CA

so I don't see why it can't be done in Maine.

Interesting pair-up; Theodore Olson, who argued for Bush and David Boies who aargued for Gore in the 2000 SCOTUs case are working together to overturn Prop 8. Maybe they can head to Maine when they're done.

[Tesha]

6. Unfortunately, turn-out was high. (NT)

[dysfunctional press]

7. the other 75% expressed their choice by not showing up at the polls.

that's just how it works.

[eShirl]

8. yesterday the Sec. of State estimated turnout would be about 50%

previously they had been expecting 35%

I don't know where you got the 25% figure

[BREMPRO]

9. I have Catholic friends here in Maine- they told me they were strongly urged

to vote yes (to repeal the gay marriage law) by their pastors. I think this was primarily religious opposition, and the rural parts of the state. The yes campaign ran a fear based campaign claiming 2nd graders in public schools were going to be assaulted with gay literature and indoctrination by teachers- the ads were deplorable homophobia and factually wrong. I've learned fear usually trumps facts, even if the lies are debunked.

may be a case for going after the churches tax exempt status for political advocacy. The courts might be able to review the referendum as unconstitutional.

[LynneSin]

10. Then we need a referendrum vote to Ban Maine Lobster, it too is a 'sin' in the bible

Wait, that would be a great protest against Maine since they are well known for their Lobster and we all know that the bible states that eating animals without fins is an Abomination (Hey these people go with a verse in Leviticus - why can't we?)

[The Straight Story]

15. That is old testament and applies to jews, not gentiles

Ask Rabbi Lerner
Noahide Laws - Can Gentiles Eat Lobster?

Question

Are gentiles permitted to eat lobster which is prepared by placing a live lobster in boiling water? Lobsters are considered sheratzim and therefore the law of ever min ha-chai may not apply. However, causing so much pain (tzar baalei chayim) to a living creature may be a violation of the seven Noachide laws.

Answer

Great question!! Lobster is a forbidden species for Jews to eat. While non-Jews are not forbidden to eat lobster, perhaps the way in which it is prepared, at great pain to the lobster, should make them forbidden to followers of the Noachide Laws.

Best Wishes,

Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner
Foundation for Family Education (FFFE)

http://judaism.about.com/library/3_askrabbi_c/bl_noahide_lobster.htm

[Ratty]

16. Better: Remarriage forbidden for the divorced

Jesus' own words can't be clearer on the subject. Remarriage after divorce is adultery.

[CatholicEdHead]

12. The Maine bishops forced 6 weeks of Yes sermons

That he wrote. Even priests who supported the No vote were ordered to speak against it. It sounds like it was really damaging to the Catholic community in Maine.

[sinkingfeeling]

11. Is there anything in the state Constitution that addresses equal rights? I think the

courts is the correct direction.

[CatholicEdHead]

13. Would the Legislature just repass the law this upcoming sesion?

That is what was told to me last night online. That what was repealed last night was actually passed by a fair margin last session.

[FBaggins]

14. That's always an option... just not the best one.

You can always claim the process wasn't followed correctly... or any number of other options... though there is little chance of success.

Unless I misunderstand their Constitution, however, there is little point in trying when there are better options. This wasn't an amendment... there's nothing that keeps the legislature from passing a similar measure and starting the ball rolling again.

And nothing in the results that implies a clear will of the voters... at least not so much that it couldn't make it through next time.

This probably won't happen this year, however, for pure political calculus reasons. Maine Democrats would really prefer not to have the Governor's seat and both House seats on the ballot at the same time as another "people's veto" like this one. Whether right or wrong, they presume that it would increase republican turnout.

Probably have to wait until 2011.