Brewer speaks with MPBN about possible record number of ballot questions
Mark Brewer, a political science professor at the University of Maine, was interviewed by the Maine Public Broadcasting Network for a report on how Maine voters could see a record number of ballot questions next November. The citizen initiatives, which range from measures aimed at welfare and tax reform to raising the minimum wage and legalizing marijuana, could affect elections of candidates at both the state and federal level, according to the report. There also could be organized efforts to urge voters not to sign the petitions, as seen in past elections, the report states. “So that fact that you have got something like welfare reform and income tax cut, the fact that it is one question, I think if I had to say someone was going to get a benefit I’m going to go with the Republicans, but I don’t think anyone is going to get a huge benefit,” Brewer said. He said many contests are decided by only a few percentage points, and in legislative races even a small advantage could decide the outcome.