Maine will decide six ballot questions Tuesday.

Question 1 reads, “Do you want to allow the possession and use of marijuana under state law by persons who are at least 21 years of age, and allow the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, testing, and sale of marijuana and marijuana products subject to state regulation, taxation and local ordinance?” Marijuana is already legal in Maine for medical purposes, and this proposal would not affect the current medicinal marijuana market. A yes vote would mean that the voter wishes to legalize marijuana for recreational uses for adults, and allow adults to grow and sell the herb. A yes vote would allow the state to regulate how and where marijuana could be sold, and to collect the sales tax. A no vote would prevent legalization for recreational use, but would not affect the medicinal marijuana market, which is already legal in Maine. 

Question 2 reads, “Do you want to add a 3% tax on individual Maine taxable income above $200,000 to create a state fund that would provide direct support for student learning in kindergarten through 12th grade public education?” A yes vote would mean the voter wishes to enact a new bracket on incomes above $200,000 to be used to supplement education funding. A no vote would mean that the voter does not wish to enact this tax for education.

Question 3 reads, “Do you want to require background checks prior to the sale or transfer of firearms between individuals not licensed as firearms dealers, with failure to do so punishable by law, and with some exceptions for family members, hunting, self-defense, lawful competitions, and shooting range activity?” The proposed legislation would require anyone selling a gun in Maine, or giving a gun to someone except for a few exceptions such as family members and hunting companions, to complete the sale at a federal firearms licensed dealership. A yes vote means the voter wishes to require a background check on all gun sales or transfers, including private sales and gun show sales. A no vote means the voter does not wish to enact this legislation.

Question 4 reads, “Do you want to raise the minimum hourly wage of $7.50 to $9 in 2017, with annual $1 increases up to $12 in 2020, and annual cost-of-living increases thereafter; and do you want to raise the direct wage for service workers who receive tips from half the minimum wage to $5 in 2017, with annual $1 increases until it reaches the adjusted minimum wage?”  A yes vote means the voter wishes to increase the minimum wage over several years until all workers are receiving at least $12 per hour; a no vote mean the voter does not wish to increase Maine’s minimum wage.

Question 5 reads, “Do you want to allow voters to rank their choices of candidates in elections for U.S. Senate, Congress, Governor, State Senate, and State Representative, and to have ballots counted at the state level in multiple rounds in which last-place candidates are eliminated until a candidate wins by majority?” In the past, run-off elections were held at a later time; the function of this bill is to be an “instant run-off.”  A yes vote means the voter wants to enact ranked choice voting; a no vote means that the voter does not wish to enact ranked choice voting.

Question 6 reads, “Do you favor a $100,000,000 bond issue for construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of highways and bridges and for facilities, equipment and property acquisition related to ports, harbors, marine transportation, freight and passenger railroads, aviation, transit and bicycle and pedestrian trails, to be used to match an estimated $137,000,000 in federal and other funds?” A yes vote authorizes the state to issue the bonds for transportation; a no vote would mean the voter does not wish to authorize the bonds.