In addition to selecting their choice candidates, Maine voters will be faced with five referendum ballot questions this election. The first is on campaign contributions, three are bond issues totaling $65 million, and the final one asks voters if they want to replace the state flag design. Here is a short guide to the measures with their language and summary context:

Question 1 - An Act to Limit Contributions to Political Action Committees That Make Independent Expenditures: “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?” 

This measure would limit contributions to a political action committee making independent expenditures, also known as a super PAC. Super PACs can raise unlimited amounts from individuals, corporations, unions and other groups. They cannot contribute directly to a politician or political party, but a super PAC can independently spend to campaign, often expressed as funds to pay for advertising. Super PACs are different from Political Action Committees, which have contribution limits and cannot accept money from corporations, but can contribute directly to a politician or campaign. The question stems from a citizen's petition and LD 2232.

Question 2 - An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for Research and Development and Commercialization: “Do you favor a bond issue of $25,000,000 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 question would provide funds to the Maine Technology Institute towards areas prioritized in the state’s most recent innovation economy and science and technology action plans. The institute would offer grants and loans to public and private organizations to support research, development and commercialization in key sectors. It stems from LD 416, signed into law in April. 

Question 3 - An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Restore Historic Community Buildings: “Do you favor a $10,000,000 bond issue to restore historic buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations, with funds being issued contingent on a 25% local match requirement from either private or nonprofit sources?” 

The bond would be issued to the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, which would deliver the funds as grants. It stems from LD 912, signed into law in April. 

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: “Do you favor a $30,000,000 bond issue to invest in the design, development and maintenance for nonmotorized, motorized and multi-use trails statewide, to be matched by at least $3,000,000 in private and public contributions?” 

This question would allow groups and municipalities to apply for funding to design, build and maintain trails across the state in what would be the Maine Trails Program. The bond could also help repair damage caused by erosion, severe storms, and climate change. The funds would be distributed over multiple years, and 25% of them would be used for nonmotorized trails, another 25% for motorized trails, and the other 50% for multi-use trails. This question came from LD 1156, signed into law in April.

Question 5 - An Act to Restore the Former State of Maine 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 would replace the Maine state flag, the state’s coat of arms on a blue background, with one that features a pine tree and a blue north star on a tan background. A similar tree flag, also known as the “1901 flag,” was replaced by the current design in 1909. In August, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced the selected redesign out of over 400 contest submissions. The issue is more than a matter of taste because funds would be required to accommodate the switch for physical flags, printed material and other places the flag image is used. The question stems from LD 86.