Election Day in Maine has come and gone. Here's where the results stand
Courtesy / KOMUnews, Flickr
Maine voters took to the polls to vote on a number of measures including legalizing recreational marijuana and raising the state's minimum wage.
Maine voters took to the polls this week to make their voices heard on a number of ballot measures that impact the state’s business community, including the legalization of recreational marijuana, raising the state’s minimum wage and a $100 million transportation bond.
Question 1, legalizing recreational marijuana: 50% yes, but recount is possible
Question 1 allows adults over the age of 21 to grow their own marijuana plants and possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana in addition to allowing marijuana to be sold, regulated and taxed at a 10% rate.
The Bangor Daily News called the race in favor of legalization early Wednesday morning. But Mainers Protecting Our Youth and Communities, which is against the measure, told Maine Public that it’s learned that several thousand ballots have yet to be counted, including 2,700 absentee ballots in Scarborough that may not have been included in the municipality's final tally.
A representative of the group told Maine Public that unless the vote swings "dramatically" in favor of Question 1, Mainers Protecting Our Youth and Communities are "leaning heavily toward the asking for a recount."
On Thursday afternoon, the Associated Press called the race in favor of legalization by less than a fraction of a percentage point. The Portland Press Herald reported that The Secretary of State’s office will continue processing over 4,000 ballots, but added that those extra votes will likely not be enough to close the gap between the two camps.
A number of moratoriums on retail marijuana establishments will be instituted in communities, including Bangor, Brewer, Saco and Westbrook. Portland city officials will take up a possible moratorium at their next City Council meeting.
Question 2, raising taxes by 3% on income over $200K for K-12 student support: 50% yes
With a difference of less than 1%, the AP reported that Maine voters approved adding a 3% tax on Maine’s highest earners to establish a fund that supports K-12 public schools. Supporters of the fund told the AP that it will raise $157 million per year for Maine’s schools.
Gov. Paul LePage voiced his opposition to the ballot question leading up to the vote, telling a group at the Portland Rotary Club that the Maine Revenue Service said that if Questions 2 and 4, coupled with the new overtime rule, passed, the state could see a 10% unemployment rate.
Question 4, raising the state's minimum wage: 55% voted yes
Question 4 will raise Maine’s minimum wage to $9 an hour in 2017, which will be followed by a $1 rise per year until it reaches $12 in 2020. After that, the minimum wage will be adjusted to the consumer price index.
The measure also increases the minimum hourly wage for tipped workers from $3.75 to $5 in 2017, which would then be followed by an annual $1 increase until it reaches the full minimum in 2024.
Representatives of Maine's restaurant and retail industries told the Press Herald that they are not against raising the minimum wage to $12, but say they are against the elimination of the tip credit for employers with workers who get a majority of their wages from tips and future adjustments to the minimum wage based on inflation. They plan on asking the state’s Legislature to revoke or make changes to those components.
Question 6, a $100 million transportation bond: 61% voted yes
It was smooth sailing for the passing of a $100 million bond that will be used to finance transportation-related construction projects throughout the state.
Maine Public reported that in addition to funding the construction projects, the bond will pay for facilities, equipment and property acquisitions related to ports, harbors, freight and passenger railways.
According to Maine Public, the $100 million bond will be matched with $137 million in federal funds, with the BDN reporting that it will cost taxpayers $33 million in interest over the next decade.
Photo: KOMUnews/Flickr
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Maine Secretary of State: Ballot recount will cost taxpayers $500K
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