The Department of the Secretary of State is currently accepting submissions of public comment to appear in the 2025 Citizens’ Guide to the Referendum Election. The deadline to submit comments is Aug. 26.

The department publishes the Citizens’ Guide each fall before a Referendum Election. Any individual, corporation, political action committee or other organization may file public comments in support of, or in opposition to, a ballot measure for publication in the guide. The Secretary of State’s Division of Elections allows for up to six commentary submissions – three in support and three in opposition – on each referendum question.

This year, voters will decide on two citizen initiatives on the Nov. 4 ballot:

QUESTION 1: “Do you want to change Maine election laws to eliminate two days of absentee voting, prohibit requests for absentee ballots by phone or family members, end ongoing absentee voter status for seniors and people with disabilities, ban prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes, limit the number of drop boxes, require voters to show certain photo ID before voting, and make other changes to our elections?”

QUESTION 2: “Do you want to allow courts to temporarily prohibit a person from having dangerous weapons if law enforcement, family, or household members show that the person poses a significant danger of causing physical injury to themselves or others?”

Ballot measure public comments are limited to 300 words or less and must be accompanied by a completed application form and a $500 fee. Public comments must be submitted electronically and filed with the Secretary of State by the deadline of 5 p.m. on Aug. 26.

The Citizens’ Guide to the Referendum Election will be available online in mid-September at https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming/index.html.

Copies of the guide are also printed and distributed to municipal offices and public libraries throughout the state.

Application form, instructions, and rules on the Citizens’ Guide to the Referendum Election public comment submission process: http://maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming/index.html.