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Maine’s Governor, John Baldacci, signed a bill legalizing same-sex couples to get married in the state today. Maine is now the fourth state (and fifth area, including Washington D.C.) to grant same-sex couples nuptials.

The bill was a contentious one, but was ratified 21-13 in Maine’s State Senate. As far as same-sex marriage legislation goes, this one was met with fairly little fanfare, compared to the outbursts of public appreciation that were displayed in Washington and Iowa. I suppose, such is the typical course for things as they become more common.

Maine did become the second state to authorize same-sex marriage through legislative rather than judicial means. In a show of significance, Senate President Elizabeth Mitchell, D-Vassalboro, turned the gavel over to an openly gay member, Sen. Lawrence Bliss, D-South Portland, to preside over the final vote.

New Hampshire legislators were also poised to send a gay marriage bill to their governor, who hasn’t indicated whether he’ll sign it, today. If New Hampshire does indeed legalize gay marriage, Rhode Island will be the lone holdout in New England.

Maine’s state Constitution has now officially been altered. You can read the full law and how it affects laws in Maine below.

Maine Same-Sex Marriage Bill - Free Legal Forms

To download this document, click here.