With autumn activities well underway and our preparations for winter gearing up, don’t forget to vote Nov. 7. While we’ve seen people jumping in to run for state and federal office left and right, this year most Mainers will be going to the polls to answer questions. Four questions, to be exact.
Question 1 is a citizen initiative that would allow a new casino in York County. The question reads: Do you want to allow a certain company to operate table games and/or slot machines in York County, subject to state and local approval, with part of the profits going to the specific programs described in the initiative?
Question 2 is a citizen initiative that would expand healthcare coverage to thousands of Mainers who have been left out of the Affordable Care Act. The question reads: Do you want Maine to expand Medicaid to provide healthcare coverage for qualified adults under age 65 with incomes at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level, which in 2017 means $16,643 for a single person and $22,412 for a family of two?
Question 3 is a bond issue that would provide funding for road repair and construction, as well as other transportation projects. The question reads: Do you favor a $105,000,000 bond issue for construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of highways and bridges and for facilities or equipment related to ports, harbors, marine transportation, freight and passenger railroads, aviation, transit and bicycle and pedestrian trails, to be used to match an estimated $137,000,000 in federal and other funds, and for the upgrade of municipal culverts at stream crossings?
Question 4 is a constitutional amendment that would protect state pensions from devastating stock market losses by conforming to industry standards. The question reads: Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to reduce volatility in state pension funding requirements caused by the financial markets by increasing the length of time over which experience losses are amortized from 10 years to 20 years, in line with pension industry standards?
Whether you’re voting ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on any issue, I encourage you to exercise your right to vote on Nov. 7. I hope that this will give you a little insight into what is on the ballot. With so many issues, there is a lot to consider. If you’re not able to make it to the polls on Election Day, you can request an absentee ballot until the end of the day, Nov. 2. You can call the Gorham Town Clerk to request your ballot at 222-1670.
Please feel free to call me or e-mail me if you have any questions or concerns.
(207) 712-9735 | (800) 423-2900 | maureen.terry@legislature.maine.gov