Voters have turned in more than 105,000 signatures in support of putting gay marriage to another statewide vote. If enough of the signatures are certified by election officials, a gay marriage question will be included on the November ballot.

EqualityMaine spearheaded the citizens’ initiative with the American Civil Liberties Union, the Maine Women’s Lobby, Engage Maine, and the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders. They spent months circulating petitions and gathered nearly double the 57,000 signatures required to put a referendum question on the ballot.

The Maine Legislature approved gay marriage in 2009, but opponents got the matter on the ballot that year and voters overturned the law. But gay marriage advocates believe voters have had a change of heart since then. According to EqualityMaine, polls have found that 54 percent of voters now favor same-sex marriage.

The proposed ballot question submitted to the secretary of state’s office is worded as follows: “Do you favor a law allowing marriage licenses for same-sex couples, and that protects religious freedom by ensuring that no religion or clergy be required to perform such a marriage in violation of their religious beliefs?”

Maine is currently the only state in New England that does not allow gay marriage or civil unions.