Same-sex marriage activists in Maine announced Thursday (26 January) that they have gathered enough signatures for a ballot initiative aimed to strike down a referendum passed by voters in 2009.

A coalition of LGBT groups led by EqualityMaine and Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders said it has collected more than 105,000 signatures from Maine voters - nearly double the amount needed to qualify for a ballot measure later this year.

The wording on the proposed measure makes clear that no religion or clergy would be required to perform the marriages if they are in violation of their religious beliefs.

Maine became the first state in the U.S. to pass same-sex marriage through the legislature and have it signed into law by the governor.

But following that breakthrough, opponents put an initiative on the ballot that would ban the marriages. It was narrowly passed.

'The number of signatures we gathered and the thoughtful conversations we’ve been having with voters tell us that Mainers are eager to speak on this question again,' Betsy Smith, executive director of EqualityMaine said on the group's website. 'Our polling shows a 54% majority of support for same-sex marriage in Maine. Many Mainers have changed their minds and want a chance to bring equality and fairness to our state.'

Freedom to Marry President Evan Wolfson said in a statement that Mainers have learned a lot since the 2009 defeat.

'[They] have seen that same-sex couples and their families, like all other families, are working their hardest to take care of their families in tough economic times, sharing in life’s joys and challenges, and doing the work of marriage day to day,' Wolfson said.