Voters decide the fate of Maine’s state flag and other ballot questions

Maine voters get the final say on whether to adopt the “Lone Pine” flag, above, inspired by the state’s original 1901 flag, or stick with the current design, which features the state seal.

Years of debate over changing the design of Maine’s state flag have ended, but vote totals were not available 30 minutes after polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Maine voters have been given the final say on whether to adopt a new design inspired by the state’s original flag. They also decided the fate of four other ballot proposals that, if passed, would limit political donations and borrow $65 million in bonds to promote research, development and commercialization of Maine’s technology industry, to restore historic buildings owned by government and nonprofit organizations and to develop and maintain trails.

Votes were still being counted at press time, and final results were not expected until several hours after polls closed. Go to pressherald.com for updated results in the Maine election.

Question 5, if passed, would replace the current design featuring the official state seal with one based on an original 1901 design featuring a pine tree and a blue North Star, commonly known as the Pine Flag.

The flag referendum followed years of debate about whether it should be changed at all, as well as whether the pin should look realistic like the original version or more abstract, like a design that has become popular in recent years and has been used on T-shirts and other products. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows established in August, on a realistic adaptation of a pine, with original blue star and colored background.

Bellows selected the winning proposal from Adam Lemire, a Gardiner architect, following a design contest that attracted more than 400 entries.

The proposal, if passed, was not expected to come at a financial cost to the state. State agencies would use their budgets to replace the flag, assuming the transition to a new flag occurs gradually as current standards become worn and worn.

Here’s a look at the other four questions on the ballot.

QUESTION 1: An act to limit contributions to $5,000 to political action committees that make independent expenditures to elect or defeat candidates for public office.

Maine law already limits candidate contributions. That ballot measure, organized by Mainers seeking to curb the influence of money in politics, would limit contributions to political action committees that spend independently of candidates. It would not apply to ballot question committees that are established to support or oppose state or local referendums, or political party committees. Individuals and corporations can still donate unlimited amounts to committees seeking to influence voting on ballot measures and political party committees.

QUESTION 2: An act authorizing an issue of general fund bonds for research, development and commercialization.

A $25 million bond issue would be awarded through a competitive process and benefit private and federal matching funds for research and development and commercialization of Maine public and private institutions that support technological innovation. Funding would be applied to life sciences and biomedical technology, environmental technology and renewable energy, information technology, advanced technologies for forestry and agriculture, aquaculture and marine technology, composites and advanced materials, and precision manufacturing.

The ballot measure would make competitive bond-issued grants available to provide matching funds for projects that stimulate commercialization and economic development in Maine. The bond is estimated to cost taxpayers $31.9 million, including interest over its 10-year repayment schedule, according to the state treasurer.

QUESTION 3: An act authorizing a $10 million general fund bond issue for the restoration of historic community buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations. Bond financing issues are subject to a 25% local matching requirement from private or nonprofit sources.

The state will likely award funding for the restoration of historic community buildings, such as public libraries, town halls, theaters, art galleries and community gathering places, using a competitive grant process. With an expected interest rate of 3.75 percent, the 10-year bond would likely cost the state a little more than $12 million.

QUESTION 4: An act authorizing a $30 million bond issue to promote the design, development, and maintenance of trails for outdoor recreation and active transportation. Funding must be matched by at least $3 million in private and public contributions.

Supporters say the money is needed to boost rural economies and repair damage from last winter’s storms. The Parks and Lands Bureau would spend the money using a competitive grant process.