Everyone knows about the national election results, but what about Maine’s? Maine’s ballot included five referendum questions – three questions about bonds, one about Political Action Committees (PAC) spending, and one on changing the state flag. Below is what these questions asked and what Maine citizens decided.
The first question on Maine’s ballot asked if voters wanted to limit donations to PACs (organizations that would use this money to support or take down candidates) to $5,000. This citizens initiative had the goal of getting big money out of politics, and it seems as though Maine voters agree with their cause; 73.9% of voters voted in support of this referendum question.
The next three questions asked are about bond issues, which are questions that the government (state or more local) poses to citizens asking them to approve or deny spending. Question two asked voters about a $25 million bond that would fund the life sciences and biomedical research fields. Question three asked about a $10 million bond that would provide grant funding to restore and preserve historical buildings in Maine. Question four asked about a $30 million bond that would give funding to organizations to build and improve trails around the states. All of these questions passed, each one with about 50% of the vote.
The final question asked voters if they wanted to change the state flag. The “new” flag that was proposed was the same as the 1901 design that many people still use today, the pine tree with a star in the upper left-hand corner. This was the only question that didn’t pass, with 55% of voters voting to keep the blue flag with the state coat of arms in the center.
In terms of the Congressional races, independant Angus King won the Senate seat with 52% of the votes. For the House seats, democratic Chellie Pingree won district one with 58% of the votes, and democratic Jared Golden won district two with 50.3% of the votes.
