Here's everything you need to know about Portland's ballot questions | WGME (2024)

Portland voters will get to weigh in on more than a dozen questions on the ballot on November 8. They range from citizen initiatives to charter amendment changes.

Question A

“An Act to Regulate Short Term Rentals in Portland and Prohibit Corporate and Absentee Operation of Short Term Rental Properties”

The question asks voters if they want to ban corporate operation of short-term rentals and would require operators to live within 20-miles of the city.

A "yes" vote on this measure would also stop property owners from evicting someone so they can convert the unit into short-term rentals. Those rentals also wouldn't be allowed in units that are classified as "affordable."

A "no" vote on this question would keep the current short-term rental requirements in place.

Question B

“An Act to Reduce the Number of Short Term Rentals in Portland"

A "yes" vote on this initiative would restrict short-term rentals to units that are owner-occupied, tenant occupied or located in a multi-unit building where the owner also lives.

This question also seeks to limit the number of short-term rentals from the current cap of 400 to just 250. It would also simplify the registration fee structure and increase fines for violations.

A “no” vote would keep current restrictions in place.

Question C

“An Act to Protect Tenants in Portland”

A "yes" vote would institute a 90-day notice for any lease termination. That includes people who have a lease or don't.

The current ordinance only requires 90-day notice for at-will tenants.

This question, if passed, would also restrict security deposits to amounts equal to one month's rent and prohibit fees for applications, credit reports, and background checks.

A “no” vote would keep things as is, which currently has those fees capped at $30.

These are just 3 of the 13 questions headed to Portland voters.

Question D

“An Act to Eliminate the Sub-Minimum Wage, Increase Minimum Wages and Strengthen Protections for Workers”

This question is one of four put in the ballot by the Maine Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.

A "Yes" vote on this initiative would increase the minimum wage to $18 an hour by 2025. Right now, Portland's minimum wage is set to increase from $13 an hour to $15 an hour over three years.

This ballot question would also eliminate the tip credit, meaning tipped workers, like those at restaurants and bars, would earn the full minimum wage plus their tips. Currently, the so called "sub-minimum tipped credit wage" allows employers to pay tipped workers less than minimum wage when tips from the public help them reach the actual minimum wage.

Question D would also create a new city department tasked with overseeing the minimum wage and other labor laws.

Question E

“An Act to Restrict Cruise Ships in Order to Reduce Congestion and Pollution

One important note on this question is that the Maine DSA, which fought to get it on the ballot, no longer supports the passage of this initiative. The organization said it pulled its support because its passage could impact jobs on the waterfront.

The original goal of the initiative was to reduce congestion downtown and help offset pollution. Maine DSA said it hopes to accomplish those goals through the Council process.

A "Yes" vote on Question E would restrict the number of people getting off cruise ships that dock in Portland. If passed, only 1,000 passengers would be allowed to disembark each day, beginning in 2025.

Question 1

Preamble and Land Acknowledgement

This proposal from the Charter Commission seeks to amend the Preamble to the city's charter.

A "yes" vote, would add a Land Acknowledgement recognizing that Portland is located in Native American territory. The amended language would also include discussion of the harm of European colonizers.

The lank acknowledgement would read in part: "Portland is located in the unceded territory of the Aucocisco Band of the Wabanaki, which also includes the Abenaki, Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot people. European colonizers displaced Wabanaki people by force and went on to displace and harm indigenous peoples throughout what is now Maine and the United State."

Question 2

Governance

Question 2 has probably been the most talk about proposal from the Charter Commission, as it seeks to change the city's governance model.

A "yes" vote would move the city away from the current City Manager system of government and create and executive Mayor position.

Under the proposal, the elected Mayor would have much more power and be able to take the lead on the City's budget, could nominate department heads and also be able to veto City Council legislation.

If approved, the Mayor would no longer be a member of the City Council and the current City Manager position would transition to a "Chief Administrator."

The proposal would also increase pay for the Mayor, members of the City Council and School Board. It would also increase the number of City council seats from the current 9 to 12.

Question 3

Clean Elections

This proposal seeks to create a Clean Election Fund in the City.

A "yes" vote would provide public campaign funds to qualified candidates for local office, beginning in fiscal year 2023-2024. The fund would be funded by the City Council, which would be tasked with providing an independent allocation from the city’s budget each year.

The proposal would also create a number of campaign finance reforms in the City:

• Prohibit corporate contributions to any candidate for municipal office
• Prohibit ballot question contributions or expenditures from any entity that is substantially under foreign influence
• Require that all contributions to campaigns be reported to the city clerk and that the city clerk create a searchable online database of information contained in filed registrations and campaign finance reports

Question 4

Proportional Ranked-Choice Voting

This proposal from the Charter Commission seeks to expand the use of ranked-choice voting in Portland.

A "Yes" vote would implement the proportional ranked-choice voting method of voting for all multiple seat elections.

For example, that would include at-large seat races for the City Council and School Board where more than one person is being elected.

Question 5

School Board Budget Autonomy

This proposal seeks to change the way the school budget is handled.

A "Yes" vote would transfer responsibility for adopting the school budget from the City Council to the School Board.

The Council would still have the ability to hold a public hearing on the proposed budget and provide recommendations, but the School Board wouldn't be required to act of them.

Under the proposal, voters would would have final say on the budget through the municipal referendum process.

Question 6

Peaks Island Council

This proposal from the Charter Commission seeks to codify the current ordinance which creates a Peaks Island Council.

Currently, the Peaks Island Council, which serves as an "advisory body" to the Portland City Council, only exists in statute. That means the City Council can change that ordinance right now at its discretion.

A "Yes" vote on Question 6 would formally recognize the Peaks Island Council in the City's charter.

Question 7

Civilian Police Review Board

This proposal seeks to create a Civilian Police Review Board.

A "Yes" vote would eliminate the current Police Review Subcommittee with the new review board.

The 9+ members, who would be appointed by the City Council, would be tasked with reviewing Portland Police internal investigations as well a complaints from citizens.

If approved, board members would also create policy recommendations for city leaders.

Here's a full breakdown of what this question seeks to do:

• Board would be appointed by the city council
• Receive complaints directly from civilians for referral to Portland Police Department, Police Command and/or Internal Affairs for investigation
• Review the Department’s Command and Internal Affairs investigation reports for due process issues, including issues of fairness, thoroughness and objectivity, and may issue its own reports on those investigation reports
• Be funded, as needed by the city council, to provide for part-time or full-time staff, including a community liaison and a police liaison

Question 8

Ethics Commission & Code of Ethics

The last question related to the City's charter seeks to create an Ethics Commission and Code of Ethics.

If approved by voters, the City Council would be tasked with created an independent Ethics Commission and to adopt a Code of Ethics recommended by the Ethics Commission.

The amendment would allow Ethics Commission's members to hear ethics complaints and have discretionary power to render advisory opinions on matters of city business and violations of public trust.

A "Yes" vote would also allow the Ethics Commission to recommend hiring an "Accountability Officer" to "provide training to city officials on ethical matters."