President Barack Obama is throwing his support behind Maine's ballot question seeking to legalize same-sex marriage.

Mainers United for Marriage, the group leading the campaign in favor of gay marriage, says the Obama campaign's regional press secretary issued a statement Thursday giving support to Maine's gay marriage referendum on the Nov. 6 ballot.

Obama last May announced his full support for the right of same-sex couples to wed, serving as a rallying point for gay marriage supporters. But until Thursday, he hadn't expressly given his support to Maine's ballot question.

Matt McTighe, campaign manager for Mainers United for Marriage, says his group is grateful for Obama's support.