With the Nov.7 referendum election just around the corner, Maine voters have an opportunity to weigh in on eight issues that will affect our state’s future. I would like to take this opportunity to outline the questions we will be voting on this fall.
The first four are citizen-initiated questions. Citizen initiatives have been enshrined in the Maine Constitution since the early 1900s and have since been used to pass measures like expanding eligibility for health coverage for low-income people through Medicaid, increasing the minimum wage and more. Any registered Maine voter can apply to submit a citizen initiative by drafting the proposed legislation and collecting the required number of verified signatures. The Secretary of State’s (SOS) Office is responsible for verifying signatures and certifying the proposal before it can appear on the next statewide ballot.
Here’s what’s on the ballot:
This year, one question in particular has generated significant attention and debate. Question 3 will ask if Mainers want to replace the state’s investor-owned utility companies, Central Maine Power and Versant, with the consumer-owned Pine Tree Power Company. Question 1 also relates to this topic. It will ask voters if they want to bar some quasi-governmental entities and all consumer-owned electric utilities from taking on more than $1 billion in debt unless they get statewide voter approval.
Question 2 looks to limit out-of-state influence in local elections. It will ask if voters want to ban foreign governments and entities that they control from making campaign contributions or financing communications. This measure passed in the Legislature this session, but failed to garner support from Gov. Mills, who ultimately vetoed the bill, sending it to the people for a vote.
Question 4 will ask voters if they want to require automakers to share repair information with independent car shops. Advocates of the measure, commonly known as “right to repair,” believe that it would give consumers more agency and choice in how they handle vehicle repairs so that they do not have to rely solely on the manufacturer to fix a problem.
The next four questions propose changes to the Maine Constitution. These questions were drafted by the Legislature and received bipartisan support.
Question 5 will ask voters if they approve of extending the SOS deadline for processing petition signatures for including a referendum question on the ballot.
Question 6 will ask voters if they want to require that the entire Maine Constitution be included in official printed copies prepared by the SOS. Currently, some parts, typically pertaining to Maine’s treaty obligations to native and indigenous people, are left out of official printed copies.
Questions 7 and 8 seek to address constitutionality issues within the state constitution. Federal courts have found the provision in Maine’s Constitution requiring the individual circulating a petition for a citizen’s initiative or people’s veto to be a registered Maine voter and resident to be unconstitutional.
Question 7 will ask voters if they want to remove that provision. Question 8 will ask if voters want to remove another provision of the Maine Constitution that prohibits a person under guardianship due to mental illness from voting for governor, senators and representatives. This too has already been found unconstitutional by federal courts.
These referendum items cover a wide range of issues. Engaging in an informed decision-making process is crucial, and the official website of Maine’s Secretary of State, found here, at , is an invaluable resource for accessing detailed information, statements and relevant reports on each question.
By taking the time to learn more about these referendum questions, voters have an opportunity to help shape the future of our state. For information about how and where to vote, please visit the Gorham Town Clerk’s election and voting website or call the office at 207-222-1670.
Rep. Jim Boyle, D-Gorham, is serving his second term in the Maine House of Representatives and previously served two years in the Maine State Senate. He is a member of the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee. Contact him at Jim.Boyle@legislature.maine.gov.