Maine voters will consider five state questions on the Nov. 5 ballot. Three of them ask that Maine borrow money to fund various proposals, all totaling $82,875,000. Question 1 relates to political action committees spending limits, and Question 5 asks voters to approve a new state flag design.

The questions follow:

QUESTION 1: A citizen’s petition to limit contributions to Political Action Committees. 

If approved by voters, this Act will set a $5,000 limit for giving to political action committees that spend money independently to support or defeat candidates for office. The estimated fiscal impact of this Act is approximately $75,000.  

Question 1 originates from a citizen petition from the group Maine Citizens to End Super- PACs, chaired by Cara McCormick. Learn more at their website, citizenstoendsuperpacs.org.

McCormick is the CEO of Level the Playing Field, a nonpartisan group challenging the Commission on Presidential Debates and the Federal Election Commission to open up the general election presidential debates to an independent candidate. She co-founded and co-leads the Committee for Ranked Choice Voting.

QUESTION 2: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for Research and Development and Commercialization

If approved by voters, the State will issue bonds in the amount of $25,000,000 to provide funds for research and development and commercialization for Maine-based public and private institutions in support of technological innovation in 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. 
The estimated total fiscal impact of this Act is $31,875,000 (assuming interest at 5% over 10 years). 

Question 2 originates from LD 416, sponsored by Senator Teresa Pierce (D-Cumberland).

QUESTION 3: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Restore Historic Community Buildings 

If approved, the State will issue bonds amounting to $10,000,000 to restore historic buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations. Funds would only be issued to projects with a 25% local match. The estimated total fiscal impact of this Act is $12,750,000 (assuming interest at 5% over 10 years). 

Question 3 originates from LD 912, sponsored by Representative H. Millett (R-Waterford).

QUESTION 4: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Promote the Design, Development and Maintenance of Trails for Outdoor Recreation and Active Transportation

If passed, the State will issue bonds amounting to $30,000,000 to invest in the design, development and maintenance for nonmotorized, motorized and multi-use trails statewide. These funds would be matched by at least $3,000,000 in private and public contributions. 

The estimated total fiscal impact of this Act is $38,250,000 (assuming interest at 5% over 10 years).  
Question 4 originates from LD 1156, sponsored by Representative Jessica Fay (D-Raymond).

QUESTION 5: An Act to Restore the Former State of Maine Flag

If passed, the Pine Tree Flag would become the official flag of the state, replacing the existing state flag created in 1909. The Treasurer anticipates any costs would be absorbed by existing department budgets, indicating a neglible fiscal impact. 

Changing the state flag is the result of a 2023 legislative bill that restored Maine's flag design to what it was in the early 1900s to a flag that, "must be buff, charged with the emblem of the State, a pine tree proper, in the center, and the North Star, a mullet of 5 points, in blue in the upper corner; the star to be equidistant from the hoist and the upper border of the flag, the distance from the 2 borders to the center of the star being equal to about 1/4 of the hoist, this distance and the size of the star being proportionate to the size of the flag."

Maine's Secretary of State Shenna Bellows opened a competition for the design, with more than submissions received. The winning design had been created by Adam Lemire, of Gardiner. Maine State Archivist Kate McBrien, Deputy Secretary Lelia DeAndrade and Deputy Secretary Joann Bautista aided Secretary Bellows in reviewing submissions and selecting the finalists. Original bill sponsor Hon. Sean Paulhus (D-Bath); Legislators Sen. Rick Bennett (R-Oxford), Sen. Tim Nangle (D-Windham), Rep. Caleb Ness (R-Fryeburg) Rep. Maureen Terry (D-Gorham); Maine State Historian Earle Shettleworth; Hon. Gerald Talbot; Dr. Chandra Bhimull; and retired journalist Bill Green aided the Secretary in selection of the winner. 
 

Question 5 originates from LD 86.