Yesterday, voters in Maine cast ballots on Proposition 1. Proposition 1 was a “voter veto” bill, which means it was written to strike down a law passed by the legislature that would have allowed gay marriage within the state. The final tally was 53-47 in favor of striking down the law. Because this has the same effect as a veto, the legislature can override it in their next session if they choose to do so.

Five states currently allow same sex marriages, Iowa, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Connecticut, but all five are the result of legislative or court decisions. Gay marriage has been denied in each of the 31 states where the decision has been left to popular vote.