Issues
2023 Referendum Election Green Independent Party Positions
The Green Independent Party takes the following positions on referenda questions appearing on the 2023 State of Maine ballot:
Question 1
The Maine Green Independent party strongly opposes question 1, which would limit the ability of government-controlled entities and utilities to borrow money for public projects. Question 1 is a barefaced attempt by CMP’s parent company Avangrid to sabotage Pine Tree Power, the consumer-owned utility that would be created by the adoption of Question 3. We believe that energy infrastructure should be publicly-owned and urge all Mainers to vote no on question 1.
Question 2
The Maine Green Independent party strongly supports question 2, which aims to protect our democracy from foreign interference and corporate influence. We believe that the people of Maine deserve a fair and transparent electoral system, where every voice is heard and every vote counts. Question 2 would prohibit any campaign spending by foreign governments and entities that they own, control, or influence, and would also call on Congress to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would overturn the Citizens United decision and affirm that money is not speech and corporations are not people. We urge all Mainers to vote yes on question 2 and join us in the fight for a more democratic and accountable government.
Question 3
The Maine Green Independent party strongly supports question 3: An Act to Create the Pine Tree Power Company, a Nonprofit, Customer-owned Utility. We believe that this initiative will empower the people of Maine to take control of their energy future, reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, and invest in clean and renewable sources. By creating a nonprofit, customer-owned utility, we can ensure that our electricity rates are fair, transparent, and affordable, and that our grid is reliable, resilient, and secure. We urge all Mainers to vote yes on question 3 and join us in creating a more sustainable and democratic energy system for our state.
Question 4
The Maine Green Independent party strongly supports question 4: An Act Regarding Automotive Right to Repair. This act would ensure that car owners and independent repair shops have access to the same diagnostic and repair information as the manufacturers and dealers. This would promote fair competition, consumer choice, environmental protection, and public safety. We believe that car owners have the right to repair their own vehicles or choose who repairs them, without being restricted by proprietary software or tools. We urge all Maine voters to vote yes on question 4.
Question 6
The Maine Green Independent party endorses question 6, which proposes an amendment to the Constitution of Maine to require all provisions in the Constitution to
be included in the official printing. We believe that this amendment will increase the transparency and accountability of our state government, and will uphold our commitment to respect the sovereignty, treaties and rights of the Wabanaki tribes in Maine. The current practice of omitting some constitutional provisions from the official printing is misleading and inconsistent with the democratic principles of our state. By voting yes on question 6, we can ensure that all Mainers have access to the full text of our Constitution, and that we honor our treaty obligations toward Wabanaki tribes.
Question 8
The Maine Green Independent party strongly supports question 8, which proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to allow persons under guardianship for mental illness to be electors. We believe that this is a matter of human rights and dignity, and that no one should be denied the right to vote based on their mental health status. The current provision in the Constitution of Maine is outdated, discriminatory and unconstitutional, as the federal court has ruled. We urge all voters to vote yes on question 8 and uphold the principle of equal suffrage for all citizens of Maine.