Not enough haters: Several California groups are working hard to overturn the state’s marriage-like civil unions laws for gay people. They have been talking up plans to put draconian initiatves on the ballot that would make it illegal for same-sex couples to receive any of the benefits granted to mixed-gender relationships.

But now the first of these propositions has failed to meet its first test. Its proponents were unable to collect enough signatures to get it on the June ballot, according to 365gay.com, via Pam’s House Blend:

A group trying to get a proposed amendment to ban same-sex marriage put to voters in California has failed to collect enough names to put the issue on the June 2006 ballot and may not make it in November.

The amendment would not only prevent gay marriages but also void the state’s landmark domestic partner registry and all benefits for same-sex couples.

Randy Thomasson, the president of Campaign for Children and Families said he is not giving up. “Whether it be November 2006 or sometime in 2008, it doesn’t matter,” he said Wednesday. In the meantime, he said, the organization will continue to fight in the courts.

Another group collecting names for a second ballot measure also says it has not collected as many signatures as it had hoped. ProtectMarriage says it is now aiming for an April 13 deadline to make on November’s ballot.

Both groups say they are far behind LGBT rights group Equality California in fundraising and organization.

This would seem like a good time for the California Legislature to pass another the gay marriage law. I’ll bet Gov. Schwarzenegger would be a lot less inclined to veto it this time.