July 30, 2012

Secretary of State announces ballot question order

By Steve Mistler smistler@pressherald.com
Staff Writer

A ballot initiative that will allow same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses will be the first question voters will consider on the state ballot on Nov. 6.

Secretary of State Charlie Summers announced the order of ballot questions on Monday after a public drawing.

Maine requires that the questions are organized by people's veto questions first, followed by citizen initiatives, bond questions, referendums posed by the Legislature and resolutions to amend the state Constitution. 

There is one citizen initiative this year. The question asks voters, "Do you want to allow the State of Maine to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples?"

Summers announced the final wording of Question 1 last week. Proponents and opponents of same-sex marriage said they were satisfied with the wording. 

The other ballot questions all relate to state borrowing proposals. They are:

Question 2 - "Do you favor an $11,300,000 bond issue to provide funds for capital to build a diagnostic facility for the University of Maine System; for capital improvements and equipment, including machine tool technology, for the Maine Community College System; and for capital improvements and equipment at the Maine Maritime Academy?"

Question 3 - "Do you favor a $5,000,000 bond issue to purchase land and conservation easements statewide from willing sellers for public land and water access, conservation, wildlife or fish habitat and outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing and deer wintering areas, and to preserve working farmland and working waterfronts to be matched by at least $5,000,000 in private and public contributions?"

Question 4 - "Do you favor a $51,500,000 bond issue for improvements to highways and bridges, local roads, airports and port facilities, as well as for funds for rail access, transit buses and the LifeFlight Foundation, which will make the State eligible for at least $105,600,000 in federal and other matching funds?"

Question 5 - "Do you favor a $7,925,000 bond issue to be expended over 2 years for revolving loan funds for drinking water systems and for wastewater treatment facilities, which will make the State eligible to secure $39,625,000 in federal grants?"

 

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