Gay Couples in Maine Poised for First Weddings

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Same-sex couples are poised to get legally married in Maine for the first time shortly after midnight.

A handful of city and town halls are preparing for special hours when Maine's same-sex marriage law takes effect early Saturday.

Portland City Hall will open at midnight to provide licenses. So will a neighboring town, Falmouth. Others including Bangor, Brunswick and Augusta will open later with special Saturday hours to issue marriage licenses.

Portland will have notaries for those who want marry immediately.

Voters approved gay marriage in November, making Maine and two other states the first to do so by popular vote. The law is already in effect in Washington state; Maryland's takes effect Tuesday.