BALLOT QUESTIONS

DISCLAIMER

Cape Elizabeth Democrats do not endorse or control the external websites linked below, and do not have an official position on the 2024 ballot questions.

QUESTIONS?

Question 1: Do you want to set a $5,000 limit for giving to political action committees that spend money independently to support or defeat candidates for office?

Question 2: Do you favor a bond issue of $25,000,000 to provide funds, to be awarded through a competitive process and to leverage matching private and federal funds on at least a one-to-one basis, for research and development and commercialization for Maine-based public and private institutions in support of technological innovation in the targeted sectors of life sciences and biomedical technology, environmental and renewable energy technology, information technology, advanced technologies for forestry and agriculture, aquaculture and marine technology, composites and advanced materials and precision manufacturing?

  • A "yes" vote supports authorizing $25 million in general obligation bonds to the Maine Technology Institute for research, development, and commercialization of Maine-based public and private institutions in support of technological innovation.

  • A "no" vote opposes authorizing $25 million in general obligation bonds to the Maine Technology Institute for research, development, and commercialization of Maine-based public and private institutions in support of technological innovation.

  • Science and Technology Research and Commercialization Bond Issue was referred to voters by the Maine legislature.

Question 3: Do you favor a $10,000,000 bond issue to restore historic buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations, with funds being issued contingent on a 25% local match requirement from either private or nonprofit sources?

Question 4: Do you favor a $30,000,000 bond issue to invest in the design, development and maintenance for nonmotorized, motorized and multi-use trails statewide, to be matched by at least $3,000,000 in private and public contributions?

Question 5: Do you favor making the former state flag, replaced as the official flag of the State in 1909 and commonly known as the Pine Tree Flag, the official flag of the State?

MUNICIPAL Question 1: School Projects / Shall the Town Council Vote Authorizing Expenditures of up to $94,700,000 (Plus Bond Premium and Investment Earnings) for a New Middle School and for Other Building Repairs and Renovations and Safety Upgrades to Pond Cove Elementary School and Cape Elizabeth High School, and the 1934 Building on the Cape Elizabeth Middle School Campus, and Authorizing Issuance of the Town’s General Obligation Bonds Therefor be Approved?

  • The Town Council Recommends that Question 1 not be approved. (4-3 vote)

  • The School Board recommends that Question 1 be approved. (Unanimous vote)

  • A "yes" vote supports authorizing a $94.7 million school bond (which includes a $4.8 million municipal bond). A yes vote will allow the Cape Elizabeth Schools to move forward with the Middle Ground proposal.

  • A "no" vote opposes authorizing a $94.7 million school bond (which includes a $4.8 million municipal bond). A no vote will block the Cape Elizabeth Schools from moving forward with the Middle Ground proposal.

  • With a unanimous vote, the School Board put forward the $89.9 million school bond for the Middle Ground proposal.

    With an unanimous vote, the Town Council put the question on the ballot. It was divided 4-3 in not supporting it. There was also a 4-3 vote on adding an additional $4.8 million to address as yet determined needs for the 1930s building.

    Advocating for a YES vote: Advancing Cape Elizabeth Schools

    Advocating for a NO vote: Cape Voters Note: This page contains statements and fiscal numbers that do not align with documentation from the Cape Elizabeth Schools and School Board. In the interest of providing transparency to voters, we will continue to link this campaign. As a reminder, we do not endorse nor control the content of external websites.

    • Johnson, Drew. "Council sends only one school bond to Cape Elizabeth voters" South Portland Sentry, 8/14/2024.

MUNICIPAL Question 2: Solar Panel Project / Shall the Town Council Vote Authorizing Expenditures of up to $1,650,000 in the form of Gifts and Grants to pay for Solar Panels to Enhance the New Cape Elizabeth Middle School be Approved?

  • The Town Council recommends that Question 2 be approved. (Unanimous vote)

  • The School Board recommends that Question 2 be approved. (Unanimous vote)

  • This question is on the ballot because expenses over $1 million require voter approval, even if they will be paid by outside gifts and grants.

    A "yes" vote supports solar panels for the new Cape Elizabeth Middles School, to be paid with gifts and grants of up to $1,650,000.

  • This question is on the ballot because expenses over $1 million require voter approval, even if they will be paid by outside gifts and grants.

    A "no" vote rejects solar panels for the new Cape Elizabeth Middles School, to be paid with gifts and grants of up to $1,650,000.

  • Part of the "Middle Ground" school proposal, put forth by the School Board.