Maine Gay Marriage Law Effective Dec. 29

PORTLAND, Maine - Gay marriage advocacy groups say Maine's new same-sex marriage law is going into effect Dec. 29.

EqualityMaine says Gov. Paul LePage signed off on the certified election results on Nov. 29. The new law goes into effect 30 days from that date.

Voters in Maine, Maryland and Washington approved laws Nov. 6 legalizing same-sex marriage. Gay marriage is already legal in New York, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia.

EqualityMaine spokesman David Farmer said it's unclear exactly when couples will actually be able to exchange vows in Maine, since Dec. 29 falls on a Saturday and it's unknown if any municipal offices will be open that day to issue marriage licenses.