A guide to the 5 referendums on the Maine ballot this year

By Billy Kobin, Bangor Daily News Staff

Maine voters are settling five referendums that are on the ballot for the Nov. 5 election.

They include several bonds, limiting donations to political action committees and changing the official state flag back to the original 1901 design featuring a pine tree and blue star. 

Here’s a quick look at each question, with more information also available online through the secretary of state’s referendum guide.

Question 1 – $5,000 limit for some political donations

Do you want to set a $5,000 limit for giving to political action committees that spend money independently to support or defeat candidates for office?

Harvard Law School professor Lawrence Lessig, an advocate for campaign finance reform, and his Equal Citizens nonprofit backed this Maine referendum as a narrowly crafted way to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Citizens United decision in 2010 that allowed unlimited contributions to groups that make independent expenditures.

Polling showed the $5,000 limit has broad support in Maine, but any approval could face legal roadblocks, as the Massachusetts attorney general declined to put a similar question on the ballot after arguing it is unconstitutional.

Question 2 – $25 million research and development bond

Do you favor a bond issue of $25 million to provide funds, to be awarded through a competitive process and to leverage matching private and federal funds on at least a one-to-one basis, for research and development and commercialization for Maine-based public and private institutions in support of technological innovation in the targeted sectors of 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?

This is the first borrowing proposal focused on Maine research and development since 2017. That year’s $45 million bond generated more than 5,300 jobs and $1.4 billion in economic output, according to an analysis for the Maine Technology Institute.

Question 3 – $10M historic buildings restoration bond

Do you favor a $10 million bond issue to restore historic buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations, with funds being issued contingent on a 25 percent local match requirement from either private or nonprofit sources?

Maine voters have approved three similar historic preservation bonds since 1985. This year’s $10 million proposal is the largest. A recently released state plan identified a key challenge to preserving historic buildings as a lack of consistent funding for existing state programs.

Question 4 – $30M trails bond

Do you favor a $30 million bond issue to invest in the design, development and maintenance for nonmotorized, motorized and multi-use trails statewide, to be matched by at least $3 million in private and public contributions?

Environmental groups and Maine towns are backing this bond to support a diverse range of trails and uses, ranging from hiking to ATVing and snowmobiling. Passenger rail advocates oppose it due to viewing trails as taking up networks that could one day resume service.

Question 5 – Changing the state flag

Do you favor making the former state flag, replaced as the official flag of the State in 1909 and commonly known as the Pine Tree Flag, the official flag of the State?

This is the most talked-about and controversial question on the 2024 ballot. A yes vote is to replace the current flag, which features the state seal on a blue background, with one similar to the original state flag in place from 1901 to 1909 that depicts a pine tree at the center of a buff background alongside a blue star. 

In recent years, the original version has gained popularity in yards and on merchandise. The proposed change comes after years of legislative debate over whether the current flag is distinct enough. Supporters of changing the flag say that the current one looks too much like the military-style flags of other states. Opponents say the seal depicting a farmer and fisherman properly reflects Maine’s heritage.

The one and only public poll on the question was released in September and revealed Mainers were split 40 percent to 40 percent on voting yes or no, with 20 percent undecided at the time. More support for a change came in the liberal 1st District and among Democrats. The poll found slightly less enthusiasm among Republicans and those in the more conservative 2nd District.

The state has not shared a price tag on replacing the state flag other than saying costs could be “absorbed within existing budgeted resources” as flags are replaced gradually.