State referendum: Nov. 5, 2019

Knox, Waldo counties support state’s constitutional amending ballot measure

Tue, 11/05/2019 - 8:15pm

    Here are the results of the November 5, 2019 Question 2, Constitutional Amending state referendum as they roll in from municipalities in Knox and Waldo counties. 

     

    This proposal would amend Maine’s Constitution to allow voters who have physical disabilities that prevent them from signing their own names to use an alternative method of signing a citizens initiative or peoples veto petition.

    Maine election law already allows voters with disabilities to use an alternative signature on a voter registration application, a change of party enrollment form, candidate nomination petitions, and Maine Clean Election Act forms by using a signature stamp or by authorizing another Maine-registered voter to sign on the voters behalf in the voters presence and at the direction of the voter.

    Adoption of the proposed Constitutional amendment would expand the scope of this election statute so that voters with certain physical disabilities would also be able to sign citizens initiative petitions and peoples veto petitions.
     
    The Maine Constitution (in Article IV, part 3, section 20) currently provides that a “written petition” for a citizens’ initiative or a people’s veto referendum must contain “original signatures of the petitioners.” This definition prevents voters who are physically unable to write an original signature from signing these types of petitions.
     
    Maine election law (Title 21-A, section 153-A of the Maine Revised Statutes) already allows a voter who is unable to sign his or her own name to sign a voter registration application, a change of party enrollment form, candidate nomination petitions, and Maine Clean Election Act forms by using a signature stamp or by authorizing another Maine-registered voter to sign on the voter’s behalf, in the voter’s presence and at the direction of the voter.
     
    Adoption of the proposed constitutional amendment would authorize the Legislature to expand the scope of this election statute or to adopt a different alternative method that would allow voters with certain physical disabilities to sign citizens’ initiative petitions and people’s veto petitions.

     

    A “Yes” vote approves adoption of the constitutional amendment.

    A “No” vote opposes adoption of the constitutional amendment.

     

    Knox County

    Question 2: Constitutional Amending Yes No
    Appleton 137 49
    Camden 809 101
    Cushing 111 47
    Friendship    
    Hope 168 45
    Isle au Haut    
    Matinicus 13 0
    North Haven 52 6
    Owls Head 174 57
    Rockland 936 211
    Rockport 413 94
    St. George 231 80
    South Thomaston 142 28
    Thomaston 256 65
    Union 283 109
    Vinalhaven 139 24
    Warren 164 90
    Washington 148 59
    TOTAL 4,176 1,065
    Waldoboro (Lincoln County)    

     

    Waldo County

    Question 2: Constitutional Amending Yes No
    Belfast    
    Belmont    
    Brooks 69 35
    Burnham    
    Frankfort    
    Freedom    
    Islesboro    
    Jackson 46 18
    Knox    
    Liberty 108 26
    Lincolnville    
    Monroe    
    Montville 76 21
    Morrill 64 36
    Northport 166 66
    Palermo 115 41
    Prospect 61 28
    Searsmont 123 54
    Searsport 209 53
    Stockton Springs    
    Swanville    
    Thorndike 50 25
    Troy 41 53
    Unity 123 44
    Waldo    
    Winterport 208 116
    TOTAL 1,459 616