Legislators Join Student Volunteers From No on 1 Campaign on UMO Campus Today For Early Vote Day Activities

ORONO, Maine (October 28, 2009) – Today, students and faculty who live in Orono as well as local residents can register to vote and cast their ballots at the Student Union on the UMaine campus in Orono today until 7 p.m. To mark the early voting event, area legislators with deep ties to the University joined student volunteers and friends of the NO on 1 campaign on the Mall this afternoon to urge students to vote NO on Question 1.

Representative Steve Butterfield, who represents House District 16 and is currently enrolled at UMaine, said, “The proudest moment of my legislative career so far was co-sponsoring and speaking in favor of the marriage equality legislation. I was reminded of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's quote, ‘The arc of history bends toward justice.’ The countless volunteer hours poured into protecting equality are sure to pay off next Tuesday when Maine people make history with a NO vote on Question 1."

Representative Sara Stevens, who represents House District 17 and received a BA in 1996 and an MS in 1999 from UMaine, said, “Maine is known for protecting civil rights. By voting NO on Question 1, Maine can be a leader in supporting critical equal rights.”

Representative Adam Goode, who represents House District 15 and received a BA from UMaine in 2005, said, "When our generation was growing up, we often wondered why it took so long to accomplish the major civil rights victories in our country. Voting No on Question 1 is this generation’s chance to make sure that 30 years from now, our children don't have to ask us why we waited to long to treat the same sex couples of our community fairly."

Student volunteers from the NO on 1 campaign are also conducting get-out-the-vote activities throughout the day, including phone banks, leaflet drops and canvassing.

Melanie Rockefeller, a UMaine student who is volunteering with the No on 1 campaign, said, “The response from students has been overwhelming. The NO on 1 Campaign has empowered students to talk to their peers effectively about fairness and equality for all Maine people while at the same time encouraging all students to exercise their right to vote.”