Tag: maine
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On sixth attempt, Maine voters approved ballot measure for separation from Massachusetts on July 26, 1819 — 206 years ago
Before Maine became the 23rd state on March 15, 1820, voters weighed in on six ballot measures over three decades regarding separation from Massachusetts. And the final ballot measure, voted upon 206 years ago on July 26, 1819, was approved 70.6% ‘Yes’ to 29.4% ‘No.’ After the American Revolution, Maine was part of the Commonwealth…
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Federal appeals court blocks enforcement of Maine’s Question 2, which barred election spending by corporations that are at least 5% foreign‑owned
In Maine, a federal appellate court upheld a district court’s injunction blocking enforcement of Question 2, which prohibited foreign governments and certain entities from contributing to ballot measure elections. Voters passed Question 2 in 2023 by a margin of 86% to 14%. The First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Question 2 would be unconstitutional…
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Ballot measure update: Two indirect initiatives to appear on ballot in Maine, one more legislative referral in Arizona
The number of certified statewide ballot measures for both 2025 and 2026 is trending above average compared to previous election cycles as of July 8. 2025 ballot measures For 2025, 29 statewide ballot measures have been certified in eight states—Colorado, Louisiana, Maine, New York, Ohio, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. This is five more than the…
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Maine lawmakers recall RCV expansion from Gov. Mills’ desk
On June 25, 2025, both chambers of the Maine Legislature agreed by voice vote to recall LD 1666 from Gov. Janet Mills (D) desk and carry the bill over to the next special or regular legislative session. The bill would have expanded the state’s use of ranked-choice voting (RCV) to include general and special elections…
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Maine voters to decide two citizen-initiated ballot measures in Nov. 2025 election, including voter ID and extreme risk protection orders
The Maine State Legislature adjourned on June 25, meaning voters will decide two indirect initiated state statutes at the election on Nov. 4, 2025. Signatures were submitted for two ballot initiatives in Jan. 2025—the Require Voter Photo ID and Change Absentee Ballot and Dropbox Rules Initiative and Extreme Risk Protection Orders to Restrict Firearms and…
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Voters recall two Maine school board members
Voters approved recall elections against two members of the Maine School Administrative District 46 school board on June 10, 2025. In the recall election against Alisha Ames, 75% of voters cast ballots in favor of the recall, according to unofficial election night results. In the recall election against Judy Saunders, 67% of voters approved the…
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Maine school board members face recall election June 10
Recall elections against Alisha Ames and Judy Saunders, members of the Maine School Administrative District 46 school board, are being held on June 10, 2025. On the ballot, voters will be asked if they are in favor of recalling each board member, and they will have the option to vote yes or no. A group…
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Seven candidates are running for four seats on the school board for Maine’s School Administrative District 40
Three seats in Maine School Administrative District 40 are up for election on June 10, 2025. This district includes the towns of Warren, Waldoboro, and Union. Members are elected to three-year terms on the 16-member board. Bangor Daily News’ Jules Walkup wrote, “A decade ago, little attention would have been paid to school board races…
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Update on 2025 and 2026 ballot measure certifications: Seven new measures in four states for 2026
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…
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Maine voters could decide on establishing extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), a type of firearms regulation, in Nov. 2025
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…