Gay marriage wins 5 of 10 biggest cities in Maine

UPDATE: More complete numbers are here, showing an even split in the Top 10, with the No vote winning in Portland, Bangor, South Portland, Brunswick, and Scarborough. The Yes side (against gay marriage) prevailed in Lewiston, Auburn, Biddeford, Sanford, and Augusta.

Yesterday's repeal of a law allowing same-sex marriage in Maine was largely an urban vs. rural affair. According to almost-complete results on the Bangor Daily News website, the "No on 1" forces easily prevailed in six of the state's eight biggest communities. The biggest cities won by the campaign against gay marriage were Lewiston and Auburn, economically depressed blue-collar areas far from the coast. The "Yes on 1" side swept smaller towns, especially in the northern half of the state. Presque Isle, where voters went against gay marriage by 2-to-1, is in Aroostook County, which forms the state's northern border with Canada.

Here are the winning percentages in the 10 biggest communities (see below)

1. Portland: No, 74%
2. Lewiston: Yes, 59%
3. Bangor: No, 54%
4. South Portland: No, 64%
5. Auburn: Yes, 54%
6. Saco: No, 54%
7. Westbrook: No, 55%
8. Waterville: No, 54%
9. Presque Isle: Yes, 67%
10. Brewer: Yes, 58%

UPDATE: More evidence of an urban/rural divide: gay candidates prospered yesterday in Chapel Hill, Detroit, and Houston. And Brockton, Mass.