Lebanon voters go against grain on Clean Elections

Mainers approved all three state ballot questions on Tuesday, including more funding for Clean Elections, plus bonds for senior housing ($15M) and transportation projects ($85M).

Approved by voters in 1996, the Maine Clean Election Act allows candidates running for the Legislature or governor to receive public campaign financing in exchange for agreeing to forgo private donations.

Critics like Gov. Paul LePage, however, say it's nothing more than "welfare for politicians."

Question 2 authorized the state to borrow $15 million for construction of energy-efficient affordable homes for low-income seniors, and weatherization of existing homes.

Question 3 allows the state to borrow $85 million for transportation projects such as road construction, bridge repairs and railroad infrastructure.

Lebanon voters overwhelmingly approved Questions 2 and 3, 372-246 and 403-214, respectively, but rejected the Clean Elections initiative, 344-272.