An initiative that would require voter approval of borrowing above $1 billion by state entities and electric cooperatives was certified to the Maine ballot and will go to voters for approval on Nov. 7, 2023.
The No Blank Checks PAC is leading the campaign in support of the initiative. On Dec. 27, 2022, 93,000 signatures were submitted to the secretary of state, and 68,807 signatures were found to be valid. This met the 67,682 minimum valid signature requirement to be certified to the Legislature. In Maine, a citizen initiative is indirect, meaning the initiative goes to the ballot if the legislature rejects the initiative or does not take action by the end of the session. If the legislature passes the initiative, and the governor signs it, the initiative becomes law.
On July 6, 2023, the Maine State Legislature completed its last full day of the legislative session for the year. Because the Legislature did not take action by the end of the session, the initiative will appear on the November ballot.
