The Maine Secretary of State’s Offices has released the 2025 Maine Citizen’s Guide to the Referendum Election, available both online and in-person at municipal offices and public libraries throughout the state.
Information included in the guide pertains to the referendum election that is set to take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
Contained within the guide is the text of the referendum questions themselves, alongside the legislation they represent, summaries of the intent and content of the legislation, what a “yes” or “no” vote means, and information on their expected financial impact.
A limited amount of public comment was also included in the guide for each of the two questions appearing on the ballot later this year.
Up to a total of six comments were accepted for each of the questions — three in favor and three in opposition. Comments were limited to 300 words, and submitting an application cost $500.
Questions 1 asks voters to weigh in on a proposal that seeks to establish a voter ID requirement in Maine, as well as make several amendments to the state’s absentee voting process.
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?”
Submitting public comment in support of this measure was Alex Titcomb of Voter ID for ME, the primary organization behind the referendum question. Opposing the measure were the League of Women Voters and Disability Rights Maine.
[RELATED: Mainers Will Have Chance to Vote on Referendum Questions One and Two on the Ballot This November]
Question 2 will ask voters if they would like to establish what is known as a “red flag” law in the state, deviating from Maine’s unique “yellow flag” procedure that is currently in place.
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?”
Safe Schools, Safe Communities submitted public comment in support of this measure, while no public comment was submitted in opposition to it.
Click Here to Read the Full 2025 Maine Citizen’s Guide to the Referendum Election
“There are two impactful questions that voters are being asked to decide this fall,” said Secretary Bellows in a press release announcing the guide’s release.
“This guide is designed to be a neutral and nonpartisan resource for interested voters so that they can fully investigate those questions and make informed decisions about how they choose to vote on them,” she said.
