Maine Question 2, Prohibit Certain Bear Hunting Practices Initiative (2004)
| Maine Question 2 | |
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| Election date |
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| Topic Hunting regulations |
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| Status |
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| Type Indirect initiated state statute |
Origin |
Maine Question 2 was on the ballot as an indirect initiated state statute in Maine on November 2, 2004. It was defeated.
A "yes" vote supported prohibiting the hunting of bears with bait, traps, or dogs except in instances of research, public safety, or property protection. |
A "no" vote opposed prohibiting the hunting of bears with bait, traps, or dogs except in instances of research, public safety, or property protection. |
Election results
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Maine Question 2 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 344,322 | 46.92% | ||
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389,455 | 53.08% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Question 2 was as follows:
| “ | Do you want to make it a crime to hunt bears with bait, traps or dogs, except to protect property, public safety or for research? | ” |
Full Text
The full text of this measure is available here.
Supporters
- Main Citizens for Fair Bear Hunting
- Hunters for Fair Bear Hunting
One of the groups supporting the initiative was Maine Citizens for Fair Bear Hunting, which raised $1,286,375 for its campaign.[1]
Donors to the group included:
- Humane Society of the United States: $485,000
- Fund for Animals: $385,000
Another organization, Hunters for Fair Bear Hunting, raised $12,793 in support of the measure.[2]
Opponents
- Maine Fish & Wildlife Conservation Council
- Sportsman Alliance of Maine PAC (SAM)
- The Maine Professional Guides Association
The primary opposition to the initiative came from the Maine Fish and Wildlife Conservation Council. They spent $1,743,625.[3] A PAC, Sportsman Alliance of Maine (SAM), also opposed the measure. It raised $209,435.[4] The Maine Professional Guides Association, the Maine Trappers Association and other supporting sporting groups partnered with SAM.[5]
Path to the ballot
An indirect initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are nine (9) states that allow citizens to initiate indirect state statutes.
While a direct initiative is placed on the ballot once supporters file the required number of valid signatures, an indirect initiative is first presented to the state legislature. Legislators have a certain number of days, depending on the state, to adopt the initiative into law. Should legislators take no action or reject the initiative, the initiative is put on the ballot for voters to decide.
In Maine, the number of signatures required for an indirect initiated state statute is equal to 10% of the total votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial election prior to the filing of such petition. As an indirect process, the Legislature has until the end of the legislative session to approve the initiative after signatures are certified. If the legislature approves the initiative and the governor approves it, the measure becomes law. If the legislature does not approve the initiative, or if the governor vetoes the measure, it goes to voters for approval. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Total donations to Maine Citizens for Fair Bear Hunting," accessed May 7, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Total donations to Hunters for Fair Bear Hunting," accessed May 7, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Total donations to Maine Fish and Wildlife Conservation Council," accessed May 7, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Total donations to Sportsman Alliance of Maine PAC," accessed May 7, 2014
- ↑ The Maine Professional Guides Association, "Join Us and Fight the Referendum on Bear Hunting and Trapping," January 4, 2004
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State of Maine Augusta (capital) |
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