Maine 2014 ballot measures

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Seven statewide ballot measures were on the November 4, 2014, statewide ballot in Maine: one indirect initiated state statute and six legislatively referred bond questions. The initiative, which sought to restrict bear hunting, was defeated; all six bond issues were approved.

A total of six initiatives - five initiated state statutes and one veto referendum - were filed for potential spots on the 2014 ballot; however, only one was certified. In order to put the measure before the legislature, supporters were required to collect at least 57,277 valid signatures and submit them by the February 3, 2014, filing deadline. The legislature then had the choice to either enact the legislation or have it placed on the ballot, as was done in this year's case.

The uncertified measures do not expire until 2015, so there is still the possibility that these measures will appear on 2015 or 2016 ballots.

Maine's 2014 legislative session began on January 8 and was projected to conclude on April 16, 2014. The session went into recess and eventually adjourned on May 2, 2014. Six legislatively referred bond questions were referred to the ballot.

Historical facts

• Since 1996, an average of six measures have appeared annually on the ballot in Maine. Therefore, 2014 was a slightly above-average year, based on the number of certified measures.
• From 1996 to 2014, the number of measures on statewide ballots ranged from two to 11.
• Between 1996 and 2014, 88 of 117, or 75 percent, of Maine ballot measures were approved by voters, which means that 2014 had an above-average approval rate at 86%.
• Conversely, 29 of 117, or 25 percent, of measures were defeated between 1996 and 2014.

On the ballot

November 4:

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
IndISS	Question 1	Hunt & Fish	Puts restrictions on certain bear hunting practices	d
BI	Question 2	Bonds	Issues $8 million in bonds to support agriculture, natural resources industries and human health monitoring	a
BI	Question 3	Bonds	Issues $4 million in bonds to insure loans to small businesses; issues $8 million in flexible loans to small businesses	a
BI	Question 4	Bonds	Issues $10 million in bonds to build a research center for genetic solutions to cancer and diseases of aging	a
BI	Question 5	Bonds	Issues $3 million in bonds to modernize and expand laboratory specializing in tissue repair and regeneration	a
BI	Question 6	Bonds	Issues $10 million in bonds to ensure clean water, protect drinking water and restore wetlands	a
BI	Question 7	Bonds	Issues $7 million in bonds to facilitate growth of marine businesses	a

Not on the ballot

See also: Proposed ballot measures that were not on a ballot

Note: These measures will not be on the 2014 ballot but could be on the 2015 or 2016 ballots.

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
VR	Common Core Referendum	Education	Repeals use of Common Core standards in state schools
IndISS	Parental Consent for Abortion	Abortion	Requires parental consent for minors seeking to have an abortion
IndISS	Remove Concealed Handgun Permit	Firearms	Repeals the concealed handgun permit requirement
IndISS	Mandatory Minimums for Sexual Offenses	Law Enforcement	Creates mandatory minimum sentences for sexual offenses against victims under 12 years of age
IndISS	Remove Restrictions on Weapons	Firearms	Removes restrictions on the carrying and use of weapons
VR	Municipal Welfare Benefits for Asylum Seekers Referendum	Welfare	Overturns L.B. 369, a law allowing asylum seekers in Maine to receive municipal welfare benefits for a two-year period

See also

• 2014 ballot measures
• List of Maine ballot measures
• Maine Legislature
• List of ballot measures by state
• Laws governing the initiative process in Maine