Four statewide referendum questions are on the November 7 ballot. Gorham voters also will elect four School Committee members, vote to fill two positions on the Town Council, and vote for a Portland Water District trustee.
Question 1 is a citizen initiative question that asks voters, “Do you want to allow a certain company to operate table games and/or slot machines in York County, subject to state and local approval, with part of the profits going to the specific programs described in the initiative?”
The Maine Citizen’s Guide to the Referendum Election explains that the question is written so that only one company meets criteria that would make it eligible to receive the license if the referendum passes. The location of slot machines or a casino would need to be approved by voters in the municipality where they would be located.
A percentage of the net profits (39% for slot machines, 16% for table games) would be turned over to the state for specific programs. For example, the State Department of Education would receive approximately 10% of these monies.
Question 2, also a citizen initiative, asks voters, “Do you want Maine to expand Medicaid to provide health care coverage for qualified adults under age 65 with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level, which in 2017 means $16,643 for a single person and $22,412 for a family of two?”
This expansion of Medicaid, which is now available to disabled people and adults over 65 who have income and assets under a certain level, would make health care coverage available to qualified adults (meeting existing residency and citizenship criteria) who are under age 65 and meet these income restrictions. According to the State Office of Fiscal and Program Review, “when fully implemented, this initiative is anticipated to require net annual appropriations from the General Fund of $54,495,000. Federal costs would be around $525,000,000.”
Question 3 asks voters if they favor a $105,000,000 bond issue to improve highways, bridges, other transportation infrastructure, and upgrade municipal culverts. It would be used to match an estimated $137,000,000 in federal and other funds. This referendum was approved by two thirds of both Houses of the Legislature.
Question 4 asks voters to amend the Maine Constitution to reduce volatility in state pension funding requirements caused by financial markets by increasing the length of time losses are amortized from 10 to 20 years. Two thirds of each branch of the Legislature voted to propose the amendment.
More information on all ballot questions is available in the Maine Guide to the Referendum Election which can be accessed on the State of Maine website.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on November 7. Residents of Ward 1-1 vote at the Middle School, Ward 1-2 residents at the Little Falls Activity Center, and those in Ward 2 at the Municipal Center.
Absentee ballots for the November 7 election are available now at the Gorham Town Clerk’s office. Residents may register to vote when they pick up a ballot. To have a ballot mailed to their home, registered voters may apply online here or request one by calling the Clerk’s office at 222-1670.
