NH: Gay Marriage Opponents Going Town to Town to Overturn Marriage Equality Law

A growing number of New Hampshire towns have accepted town meeting petitions that would allow residents to express support for a constitutional amendment to overturn the state's equal marriage law. Rep. David Bates, R-Windham, is leading the Let NH Vote campaign and said 49 of 57 towns with the SB2 form of town meetings met the Jan. 12 deadline for warrant article inclusion of the nonbinding petition. He estimates a strong majority of the state's 223 towns will consider the petition calling for a constitutional amendment to decide the gay marriage debate "once and for all." Locally, Hampton, Hampton Falls, North Hampton, Rye, Seabrook and Stratham have the petition on their warrant, while Exeter will not. Petition drives will continue, Bates said, in Greenland, Newington and New Castle. In most cases, only 25 valid signatures are required to put a petition on the town warrant. "The public is demonstrating growing enthusiasm to have their voices heard on the marriage issue," Bates said. According to Bates, even supporters of gay marriage have signed petitions to allow for a fuller public debate. The state Constitution does not allow for a referendum process, but Bates said the petition votes would be an accurate poll to determine public sentiment. Full Story from Seacoast Online

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