Battle in Maine Over Future of Homosexual 'Marriage' in Dead Heat

In less than two weeks voters in Maine will have the opportunity to decide the fate of marriage by referendum.

AUGUSTA, Maine (LifeSiteNews.com) - In less than two weeks, voters in Maine will have the opportunity to decide the fate of traditional marriage by referendum; but the latest polling reveals that both sides are locked in a statistical dead heat. Each side believes that a victory may significantly alter the political momentum in the ongoing battle over marriage in the United States.

According to a Public Policy Polling (PPP) survey conducted between October 16-19, 48 percent of voters would vote "yes" on Question 1, the referendum to overturn a state-law that would permit same-sex "marriage," while 48 percent of voters would vote "no."

"The fate of Question 1 is going to be decided by which side does a better job of mobilizing their supporters to get out and vote," observed Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. "Voters in the state know where they stand on the issue and now it's just an issue of who shows up."

On the level of political affiliation, 74 percent of state Republicans plan to vote "yes" as well as 25 percent of Democrats, meaning that Independent voters may become the deciding factor. 50 percent of Independents say they would vote "yes" on Question 1, with 44 percent saying "no."

Maine's seniors, however, are a formidable voting bloc and a majority are behind Question 1, with 54 percent in support with 40 percent opposed. 53 percent of men would overturn Maine's same-sex "marriage" legislation, but only 43 percent of women say they would want to reject the law.

Voters will go to the polls on November 3 to decide the ballot measure. Homosexual activists have raised $2.7 million - more than twice the $1.1 million raised by pro-family advocates - but many believe that if California is any guide, same-sex "marriage" supporters will need a far greater lead. Victory for either side is far from certain and is dependent on voter turnout and enthusiasm.

"The fate of Question 1 is going to be decided by which side does a better job of mobilizing their supporters to get out and vote," concluded Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. "Voters in the state know where they stand on the issue and now it's just an issue of who shows up."

Prop. 8 in California passed by a margin of 52 percent to 48 percent, but a Survey USA poll conducted just days before the voting had indicated that voters were disposed to reject Prop. 8 by 50 percent to 47 percent with 3 percent undecided. That poll carried a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent, and reflected a month-long polling trend that appeared to show the momentum was in favor of same-sex "marriage" right until the 2008 November election.

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Just weeks ago, the Portland-based Pan Atlantic SMS Group showed that 51.8 percent of voters would vote "no" on Question 1, while 42.9 percent would vote "yes," and 5.2 percent reported they are "undecided." The poll carries a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percent. But in light of California, when it comes to marriage that poll makes it too close to predict where Maine will go.

Now with the latest PPP poll showing a statistical dead heat, it means both pro-family advocates and homosexual activists will be battling fiercely to the end, to decide not only which way their state will fall on marriage, and which way the rest of the nation may go.

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