Opponents to Maryland’s marriage equality law have already secured a referendum on the law for a vote in November. But yesterday they submitted an additional 40,000 signatures calling for a referendum - on top of the 113,000 signatures that were already submitted. 

Those seeking to overturn marriage equality in Maryland only needed 55,736 signatures in order to put the measure to vote. But so far, more than 109,000 signatures have been validated. Still, recent polls have shown that a majority of people in Maryland support marriage equality. 

“As we expected, our opponents met the legal signature threshold and the Civil Marriage Protection Act will be on the ballot this fall,” conceded Josh Levin, campaign director for Marylanders for Marriage Equality, in a press release shortly after the Maryland Marriage Alliance submitted the additional signatures. “Since all Maryland families deserve the dignity and respect that marriage brings, we’re focused on building a smart, strategic campaign to amplify and mobilize the 57 percent of Maryland voters who support the new same-sex marriage law. Committed, loving gay and lesbian couples should be treated fairly under the law.”

Those of you in Maryland: this battle is not ending anytime soon. These people aren’t backing down, and it’s up to you all to get out the vote and make sure every person in your great state has the right to marry the person they love. We can’t let things like this go by unnoticed. This is a sign of the fight to come.