Tag: maine

  • Update on 2025 and 2026 ballot measure certifications: Seven new measures in four states for 2026

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    The number of certified ballot measures for 2025 and 2026 is trending above the average as of March 18, 2025. For 2025, six statewide ballot measures have been certified in three states—Louisiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Six is one more than the average of five for this point in an odd-numbered-year election cycle since 2010. For…

  • Maine voters could decide on establishing extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), a type of firearms regulation, in Nov. 2025

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    Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (D) announced on March 7, 2025, that the signatures for a ballot initiative to create a process for extreme risk protection orders, a firearm regulation policy, were validated, certifying the initiative to the legislature. If the legislature does not approve the measure, it will be placed on the ballot…

  • Maine initiative on voter ID, absentee ballots, and dropboxes certified to legislature; will appear on the November 2025 ballot unless lawmakers enact it

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    In Maine, signatures for a citizen initiative to require photo voter identification, among other changes, were verified on Feb. 19, 2025. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (D) announced that the campaign submitted 86,904 valid signatures. A minimum of 67,682 valid signatures was required. The proposed initiative will now go to the state legislature for consideration.…

  • Signatures submitted for Maine initiative to establish extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), a type of firearms regulation

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    Signatures have been submitted in Maine for a ballot initiative to establish a process for extreme risk protection orders, a policy related to firearms regulation. The ballot initiative, unless approved by the legislature, would appear on the ballot for Nov. 4, 2025. The Maine Gun Safety Coalition reported submitting more than 80,000 signatures to the…

  • Signatures submitted for Maine voter photo ID ballot initiative, which could appear on Nov. 2025 ballot

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    In Maine, a campaign advocating for a citizen initiative to require photo voter identification submitted more than 170,000 signatures to the secretary of state’s office on Jan. 6, 2025. If enough signatures are verified, the initiative could appear on the statewide ballot for voters on Nov. 4, 2025. Maine has an indirect initiative process, meaning…

  • 98% of voters approve Maine school board recall

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    Voters approved a recall election against Kirstin Shapiro, member of the Regional School Unit 21 Board of School Directors in Maine, on December 17, 2024. A total of 171 voters cast ballots in favor of the recall, and three voters cast ballots against it, according to unofficial election night results. Shapiro resigned from her position…

  • Maine school board recall scheduled for December 17

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    A recall election against Kirstin Shapiro, member of the Regional School Unit 21 Board of School Directors in Maine, has been scheduled for December 17, 2024.  The recall effort started in October 2024 during stalled contract negotiations between the school board and the Kennebunk Arundel Kennebunkport Educators’ Association. Teachers started the 2024-2025 school year without…

  • 38% of elections in Maine are uncontested

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    Of 378 regular elections in Maine—142 (38%) are uncontested. An uncontested election is one where the number of candidates on the ballot is less than or equal to the number of seats up for election.  Of the 24 states where Ballotpedia is covering every election on Nov. 5, Maine has the 21st highest rate of…

  • Five presidential tickets will appear on the ballot in Maine this November

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    Maine’s Nov. 5, 2024, general election ballot will feature five presidential candidates and their running mates. They are: Maine is one of two states, along with Alaska, that will use ranked-choice voting in the 2024 presidential election. Maine is also one of two states, along with Nebraska, that does not allocate its electoral votes using…

  • Incumbent Jared Golden (D) and Austin Theriault (R) are running in the general election for ME-02

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    Incumbent Jared Golden (D) and Austin Theriault (R) are running in the general election for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District on Nov. 5, 2024. Golden ran unopposed in the June 11 primary, while Theriault defeated Michael Soboleski for the Republican nomination. Golden is one of five Democrats running in a district former President Donald Trump (R)…