Mainers have until August 26 to submit statements for inclusion in the 2025 Citizens’ Guide to the Referendum Election, the state office in charge of supervising elections said.
Individuals, corporations, political action committees, and other organizations may file public comments in support of or in opposition to either of the questions on the ballot this November.
Up to a total of six comments will be accepted for each of the questions — three in favor and three in opposition.
Comments are limited to 300 words and must be accompanied by a completed application form and $500.
Electronic filings will be accepted by the Secretary of State’s Office until 5pm on August 25.
Further information about the application process can be found here: http://maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming/index.html.
The final version of this year’s Citizens’ Guide will be available online beginning in mid-September at: https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming/index.html.
Copies of the guide will also be printed and distributed to municipal offices and public libraries throughout the state.
When voters go to the polls this November, they will be asked to weigh in on two statewide referendum questions.
[RELATED: Mainers Will Have Chance to Vote on Referendum Questions One and Two on the Ballot This November]
First on the ballot will be the voter ID citizens initiative advanced by Dinner Table Action Executive Director Alex Titcomb and Rep. Laurel Libby (R-Auburn).
The second of the two referendum questions on the ballot is a citizens initiative establishing a Red Flag Law brought forward by the Maine Gun Safety Coalition.
Both are politically charged questions that will in all likelihood be the subjects of intense voter education and persuasion campaigns over the next few weeks. Voters will likely begin seeing campaigns on both sides of these issues branding the proposals as “Question 1” and “Question 2.”
Question 1 will read:
“Do you want to change Maine election laws to eliminate two days of absentee voting, prohibit requests for absentee ballots by phone or family members, end ongoing absentee voter status for seniors and people with disabilities, ban prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes, limit the number of drop boxes, require voters to show certain photo ID before voting, and make other changes to our elections?”
Question 2 will read:
“Do you want to allow courts to temporarily prohibit a person from having dangerous weapons if law enforcement, family, or household members show that the person poses a significant danger of causing physical injury to themselves or others?”
