Maine ballot 2009 | News |

Election Day questions wrap-up

Posted on Monday, November 2nd, 2009, 1:46 am

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The following are the questions on Maine’s Nov. 3 ballot in the order they will appear, as well as a brief recap of proponent and opponent messages for each people’s veto and citizen initiative.

Question 1: People’s Veto

An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom

“Do you want to reject the new law that lets same-sex couples marry and allows individuals and religious groups to refuse to perform these marriages?”

Proponents argue same-sex marriage will become a part of public school curricula if Question 1 passes.

Opponents argue repealing Maine’s same-sex marriage law will deny marriage rights to a portion of the population.

Question 2: Citizen Initiative

An Act to Decrease the Automobile Excise Tax and Promote Energy

“Do you want to cut the rate of the municipal excise tax by an average of 55 percent on motor vehicles less than six years old and exempt hybrid and other alternative-energy and highly fuel-efficient motor vehicles from sales tax and three years of excise tax?”

Proponents argue reducing Maine’s excise tax will cut taxes for cash-strapped drivers and encourage purchasing of more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Opponents argue the reduction targets only a small portion of the population and that those who can afford fuel-efficient vehicles aren’t in desperate need of a tax break. They also contend reducing the excise tax will hurt Maine’s municipal budgets and towns’ and cities’ ability to maintain roads.

Question 3: Citizen Initiative

An Act to Repeal the School District Consolidation Laws

“Do you want to repeal the 2007 law on school district consolidation and restore the laws previously in effect?”

Proponents argue not all schools should be required to consolidate and that savings from the consolidation will remain.

Opponents argue it’s too early to know if a repeal of the law will mean consolidation’s savings will be kept.

Question 4: Citizen Initiative

An Act to Provide Tax Relief

“Do you want to change the existing formulas that limit state and local government spending and require voter approval by referendum for spending over those limits and for increases in state taxes?”

Proponents argue Question 4 — the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, also known as TABOR II — will put extra decision power into the hands of voters concerning taxes.

Opponents argue TABOR II makes unrealistic assumptions about what governments spend and will constrict tax revenue to such an extent that public services will be severely hurt.

Question 5: Citizen Initiative

An Act to Establish the Maine Medical Marijuana Act

“Do you want to change the medical marijuana laws to allow treatment of more medical conditions and to create a regulated system of distribution?”

Proponents argue Question 5 will increase patients’ access to marijuana medication while creating a system for oversight of distribution.

The secretary of state’s office is unaware of any organized opposition to Question 5.

Question 6: Bond Issue

“Do you favor a $71,250,000 bond issue for improvements to highways and bridges, airports, public transit facilities, ferry and port facilities, including port and harbor structures, as well as funds for the LifeFlight Foundation that will make the State eligible for over $148,000,000 in federal and other matching funds?”

Question 7: Constitutional Amendment

“Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to increase the amount of time that local officials have to certify the signatures on direct initiative petitions?”