What’s on your ballot?
On November 5, Mainers will vote on five different ballot questions. The League of Women Voters of Maine is committed to providing information to voters so that they feel confident when they vote.
Question 1 is a Citizen’s Initiative. These reach the ballot through a process of signature collection. When enough Maine voters sign the petition, the question goes on the ballot for a statewide vote.
Questions 2-4 are Bond Issues. Bonds allow the state to finance long term public projects that seek to improve infrastructure and create jobs. Bonds are first passed by the Maine Legislature and then placed on the ballot for a statewide vote.
Question 5 was a bill that was passed by the Maine Legislature and then sent to the ballot so that Mainers could approve of the new flag.
Question One:
This question is a Citizen Initiative: These reach the ballot through a process of signature collection. When enough Maine voters sign the petition, the question goes on the ballot for a statewide vote.
On your ballot, the question will read: An Act to Limit Contributions to Political Action Committees That Make Independent Expenditures. Do you want to set a $5,000 limit for giving to political action committees that spend money independently to support or defeat candidates for office?
What it’s asking: This question asks if you want to set a contribution limit of $5,000 to Political Action Committees, or PACs, that make independent expenditures, also known as Super PACs. Anyone can make an independent expenditure for or against a candidate. That includes individuals, groups, corporations, labor organizations, and political committees. Independent expenditures are not contributions and are not subject to limits. What does an independent expenditure look like? As an example, a Super PAC could spend money on an independently produced ad that promotes their preferred candidate — or attacks their opponent.
PROS: Groups are quick to fund Super PACs because there are currently no limits and because the names of big donors are not disclosed. This means that groups can feed large amounts of money into independent expenditures, like robust television campaigns that attack a political opponent. Some may see Super PACs as a form of corruption and think they should have limits like regular PACs.
CONS: Super PACs may be seen as a form of expression protected under the First Amendment. Advocates who want to keep Super PACs will argue that imposing limits would be unconstitutional.
A YES vote means you want to set a contribution limit of $5,000 to Political Action Committees. A NO vote means you do not want a contribution limit.
Question Two:
This question is a bond issue: Bonds allow the state to finance long term public projects that seek to improve infrastructure and create jobs. Bonds are first passed by the Maine Legislature and then placed on the ballot for a statewide vote.
More About Bonds: The State of Maine borrows money by issuing bonds, and then the State pays interest on the amount it borrows. If the voters approve the bond, the Treasurer sells the bonds to fund these projects. The State pays back the amount it borrows plus interest within a fixed time period (usually ten years). As a citizen, you get to choose what projects the State will fund by voting for or against a bond issue.
On your ballot, the question will read: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for Research and Development and Commercialization. Do you favor a bond issue of $25,000,000 to provide funds, to be awarded through a competitive process and to leverage matching private and federal funds on at least a one-to-one basis, for research and development and commercialization for Maine-based public and private institutions in support of technological innovation in the targeted sectors of life sciences and biomedical technology, environmental and renewable energy technology, information technology, advanced technologies for forestry and agriculture, aquaculture and marine technology, composites and advanced materials and precision manufacturing?
What it’s asking: The state of Maine has a science and technology plan that seeks to compare our infrastructure to other states, note where there are gaps, and make recommendations for improvements. This question asks if you want to designate funds to the Maine Technology Institute, which will use the funds to offer grants and loans to businesses and organizations, both public and private, that are working towards fulfilling Maine’s science and technology plan.
PROS: Question two came from a bill, LD 416, brought forward in the Maine Legislature. The bill was sponsored by both Democrats and Republicans. Groups believe that this bond will increase research and development opportunities, grow Maine’s economy, and establish the state as a biotech hub.
CONS: Some may be uncomfortable that the state will send millions of dollars to public and private sectors. Some others may be opposed to state borrowing in general.
A YES vote means you approve of the $25,000,000 bond to the Maine Technology Institute. A NO vote means you do not approve of the bond.
Question Three:
This question is a bond issue: Bonds allow the state to finance long term public projects that seek to improve infrastructure and create jobs. Bonds are first passed by the Maine Legislature and then placed on the ballot for a statewide vote.
More About Bonds: The State of Maine borrows money by issuing bonds, and then the State pays interest on the amount it borrows. If the voters approve the bond, the Treasurer sells the bonds to fund these projects. The State pays back the amount it borrows plus interest within a fixed time period (usually ten years). As a citizen, you get to choose what projects the State will fund by voting for or against a bond issue.
On your ballot, the question will read: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Restore Historic Community Buildings. Do you favor a $10,000,000 bond issue to restore historic buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations, with funds being issued contingent on a 25% local match requirement from either private or nonprofit sources?
What it’s asking: This question asks if you want to approve of a $10,000,000 bond to be issued to the Maine Historic Preservation Commission. The Commission will deliver funds as grants to government and nonprofit organizations that apply to restore the historic buildings in their communities.
PROS: Question 3 came from a bill, LD 912, brought forward in the Maine Legislature. It was sponsored by both a Democrat and a Republican. Government and nonprofit groups support the bill and advocate for more funding to save and restore special, historic buildings in their communities.
CONS: Some may oppose the state spending money on historic buildings instead of building new ones. Some others may be opposed to state borrowing in general.
A YES vote means you approve of the $10,000,000 bond to restore historic buildings. A NO vote means you do not approve of the bond.
Question Four:
This question is a bond issue: Bonds allow the state to finance long term public projects that seek to improve infrastructure and create jobs. Bonds are first passed by the Maine Legislature and then placed on the ballot for a statewide vote.
More About Bonds: The State of Maine borrows money by issuing bonds, and then the State pays interest on the amount it borrows. If the voters approve the bond, the Treasurer sells the bonds to fund these projects. The State pays back the amount it borrows plus interest within a fixed time period (usually ten years). As a citizen, you get to choose what projects the State will fund by voting for or against a bond issue.
On your ballot, the question will read: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Promote the Design, Development and Maintenance of Trails for Outdoor Recreation and Active Transportation. Do you favor a $30,000,000 bond issue to invest in the design, development and maintenance for nonmotorized, motorized and multi-use trails statewide, to be matched by at least $3,000,000 in private and public contributions?
What it’s asking: Do you want the state of Maine to invest in and maintain statewide trails? If approved by voters, the Maine Trails Program will be developed over several years. Some trails will be nonmotorized (used for hiking and biking), some will be designated for ATVs and other motorized vehicles, while half will be multi-use trails. The bond will also help repair damage caused by erosion, severe storms, and climate change.
PROS: Question four came from a bill, LD 1156, brought forward in the Maine Legislature. It was sponsored by both Democrats and Republicans. Advocates believe that this will expand and improve Maine’s outdoor recreation economy.
CONS: Some may oppose the state spending money on recreational trails because it does not offer a return investment, and that the state’s current trail system is sufficient. Some others may be opposed to state borrowing in general.
A YES vote means you approve of the $30,000,000 bond to create a statewide system of trails to be known as the Maine Trails Program. A NO vote means you do not approve of the bond.
Question Five:
New flag: Question 5 was a bill that was passed by the Maine Legislature and then sent to the ballot so that Mainers could approve of the new flag.
On your ballot, the question will read: An Act to Restore the Former State of Maine Flag. Do you favor making the former state flag, replaced as the official flag of the State in 1909 and commonly known as the Pine Tree Flag, the official flag of the State?
What it’s asking: Do you want to keep the current blue coat of arms Maine flag that features a farmer and seaman? Or do you want to replace the flag with a design similar to the 1909 Pine Tree Flag that features a blue star and pine tree on a light tan background? It’s common for states to update and modernize their flags to better represent that state’s culture.
PROS: The Pine Tree Flag was once the state’s official flag but was replaced in 1909. The Pine Tree Flag has become a staple symbol in Maine’s tourism industry. It’s a common and popular flag used to sell souvenirs and decor items. People may prefer the simple look of the flag and the iconic pine tree and star.
CONS: Others may prefer the Maine Coat of Arms on the blue background that has been used for 115 years. People like that the flag features a farmer and a seaman, along with a north star that represents Maine’s powerful motto: dirigo, or “I Lead.” Others will also argue that, if the flag changes, the state will have to spend additional money to buy new flags that hang at government buildings.
A YES vote means you want to change Maine’s state flag to the Pine Tree Flag. A NO vote means you do not want to change Maine’s flag.
Current flag: Blue Coat of Arms
Proposed new flag: Pine Tree Flag