Maine Question 2, Vehicle Excise and Sales Tax Reduction Initiative (2009)
| Maine Question 2 | |
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| Election date |
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| Topic Sales taxes and Transportation |
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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 3, 2009. It was defeated.
A "yes" vote supported reducing the municipal excise tax on newer motor vehicles and exempting hybrid, alternative energy, and highly fuel-efficient vehicles from sales tax and three years of excise tax. |
A "no" vote opposed reducing the municipal excise tax on newer motor vehicles and exempting hybrid, alternative energy, and highly fuel-efficient vehicles from sales tax and three years of excise tax. |
Election results
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Maine Question 2 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 145,610 | 28.22% | ||
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370,391 | 71.78% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Question 2 was as follows:
| “ | Do you want to cut the rate of the municipal excise tax by an average of 55% on motor vehicles less than six years old and exempt hybrid and other alternative energy and highly fuel-efficient motor vehicles from sales tax and three years of excise tax? | ” |
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
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