What you need to know going into Nov. 8 election

We're not going to get into the presidential election here, but offer a handy guide to statewide races and referenda that will be on the Nov. 8 ballot. With help from Maine Public, Ballotpedia and individual campaign websites, here's the breakdown:

Chellie Pingree (D): The incumbent cites the need for small-business investment: “Small businesses truly are the backbone of Maine's economy and one thing I hear most from them is the need for capital. As a small business owner myself, I couldn't agree more. That's why I've supported expanding Small Business Administration loan programs, cutting unnecessary regulations, and have worked to connect our small businesses with larger federal contractors,” she says on her website.

Mark Holbrook (R): The challenger stresses “the importance of getting our economy going again,” according to his campaign page, adding that “taxes and regulations are killing us.” He says businesses struggle with the cost of the Affordable Care Act and would bear the burden of a higher minimum wage.

Emily Cain (D): The challenger says “balancing budgets, paying our bills and lowering taxes all go hand-in-hand with investing in our future,” according to her campaign page. She supports better broadband service in rural areas, elimination of subsidies for companies that send jobs overseas and an end to “job killing” trade deals like the Trans Pacific Partnership.

Bruce Poliquin (R): The incumbent campaigns on promises of recruiting new businesses to Maine, eliminating “unnecessary job-killing regulations,” lowering energy costs and repealing the ACA.

Question 1: Voting yes supports legalizing and taxing recreational marijuana for people over 21 years old.

Question 2: A yes vote supports the establishment of a 3% tax on household income over $200,000 to increase public school aid.

Question 3: A yes vote supports specific background checks for gun sales and transfers.

Question 4: A yes vote supports gradually increasing the state's minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2020.

Question 5: A yes vote would establish statewide ranked-choice voting, also known as instant-runoff voting.

Question 6: A yes vote would support $100 million in bonds for transportation projects, with $80 million earmarked for highways and bridges and $20 million for ports, harbors, marine transportation, aviation, freight and passenger railroads and bike and pedestrian trails.