Maine Marriage Equality Not Looking Good

With 87 percent of precincts reporting by early Wednesday morning, the campaign to overturn Maine's gay marriage law won with 53 percent of the vote compared to 47 percent opposed to Question 1, according to unofficial results compiled by the Bangor Daily News.

The loss came despite heavy voter turn out and stronger than expected support for marriage equality in cities like Bangor and Portland.

No on 1 campaign manager Jesse Connolly issued a forward-looking concession message early Wednesday morning as Stand for Marriage Maine, the campaign supporting Question 1, declared victory.

"We're in this for the long haul," wrote Connolly. "For next week, and next month, and next year-- until all Maine families are treated equally. Because in the end, this has always been about love and family and that will always be something worth fighting for."

Polls leading up to the vote showed a very tight tug-of-war, indicating either side could win.

The passage of the measure makes Maine the second state to repeal marriage equality.

Check back to Advocate.com for more on final results throughout the day on Wednesday. For Tuesday's coverage of the vote in Maine, click here.