AUGUSTA -- A coalition that wants to repeal the state's gay-marriage law announced Wednesday it has collected more than enough signatures to get the issue on the November ballot.

Stand for Marriage Maine, which includes the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland and others, has collected more than the 55,087 signatures needed for a people's veto question, according to a statement from the group.

The coalition has until early August to turn them in to the state for certification.

"In just four weeks, we've gathered more than 55,000 signatures from Mainers who believe they, not the Legislature and governor, should have the final say on the definition of marriage," Marc Mutty, chairman of the coalition, said in a statement.

The coalition plans to turn in more signatures than required in case there are duplicates or signatures deemed invalid, said Tim Russell, of Sidney, who's helped organize the effort.

"We're asking people to continue to gather (signatures) so we can get overage for duplication," he said.

In May, Maine became the fifth state in the country to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. Because nonemergency laws do not take effect until 90 days after the Legislature adjourns, the new law wasn't scheduled to take effect until mid-September.

If the signatures are deemed valid, the law would be put on hold, and the question on the November ballot would read:

"Do you want to reject the new law that lets same-sex couples marry and allows individuals and religious groups to refuse to perform these marriages?"

Jesse Connolly, campaign manager for Maine Freedom to Marry -- a coalition that includes EqualityMaine, Maine Civil Liberties Union, and Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders -- said they are not surprised about Stand for Marriage's announcement because that group used paid signature gatherers from out of state.

"Advocates who are working on this issue knew from the beginning they would have to win at the Legislature and the ballot box in November," Connolly said.

Bob Emrich, a Baptist pastor and a member of Stand for Marriage Maine, said in a statement that he looks forward to a "vigorous defense of marriage" throughout the campaign.

"Traditional marriage has never lost on the ballot in any state," he said in the statement. "We expect it to prevail in Maine."

Maine voters polled in April showed they were almost evenly divided, with slightly more people opposing same-sex marriage.

Connolly said that -- unlike in other states where the issue has gone to a public vote -- the Maine Legislature passed, and the governor signed, a gay marriage bill into law.

"We've got a lot of support throughout the state," he said.

Susan Cover -- 620-7015

scover@centralmaine.com