Maine Gay Marriage Repeal Draws Mixed Reaction

With the vote, Maine became the 31^st state to block same-sex marriage through a public referendum. Turnout was higher than expected, which was thought to favor those opposed to repealing the law. In the end, however, the referendum passed with about 53 percent of the vote.

The outcome was met with mixed reaction across the state, according to Susan Sharon, deputy news director at Maine Public Broadcasting. The takeaway from those who opposed the ballot initiative is that there needs to be more of an effort "to make people understand why civil marriage is so important to them," Sharon said. "On the other hand there were campaign organizers who were saying this was a victory for the institution of marriage."

Listen to an interview with Sharon:

---- By Quinn Bowman, Online NewsHour