Voters in the states of Maryland and Maine have approved ballot measures permitting gay marriage. The passing of these ballot measures by the electorate represents the first two instances in the United States in which gay marriage is approved by non-legislative action. According to Fred Sainzo of the Human Rights Campaign:
“If Obama is reelected and if we pass two or three of these state ballot initiatives, this is good, solid momentum on behalf of equality … It shows that Americans are willing to support equality at the ballot box.”