2014 Maine Question 1

none October 2026 October 2026 Question 1: Citizen Initiative An Act To Prohibit the Use of Dogs, Bait or Traps When Hunting Bears Except under Certain Circumstances 279617 320873 612821 2014 Maine Question 1 results map by county.svg No #8B8B54 70-80% #BCBC83 60-70% #DEDEBD 50-60% Yes #B6C8D9 50-60% Source: Office of the Secretary of State of Maine, Tabulation of Votes Maine Question 1 (MQ1), "An Act To Prohibit the Use of Dogs, Bait or Traps When Hunting Bears Except under Certain Circumstances", was a citizen-initiated referendum measure in Maine, which was voted on in the general election of November 4, 2014. As the Maine Legislature declined to act on the proposed statute, it was automatically placed on the ballot. The proposal was defeated by 320,873 "No" votes to 279,617 "Yes".2014 Maine Elections Results Portland Press-Herald Retrieved 30 November 2014. Background In 2013, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) decided to push for a restrictions on bear hunting in Maine. Maine voters previously rejected a ban on using traps, bait, and dogs to hunt bears on 2 November 2004, with 389,455 opposed and 344,322 in favor.http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/2004n/ref.htm Department of the Secretary of State General Election Tabulations 2 November 2004 22 October 2014 With support from HSUS, some Maine residents formed Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting (MFBH). On 9 July 2013, MFBH began collecting 80,000 signatures to place the question on the November 2014 ballot. 57,277 signatures were required to do so.NECN http://www.necn.com/07/09/13/Group-wants-bear-baiting-referendum-in-M/landing.html?&apID=93451a64361a4a87a26cf62a29118553 Group wants bear-baiting referendum in Maine 9 July 2013 26 June 2014 MFBH submitted the signatures on 3 February 2014.MPBN.net http://www.mpbn.net/Home/tabid/36/ctl/ViewItem/mid/5347/ItemId/32047/Default.aspx Patty Wight Maine Bear Baiting Opponents Deliver 80K Petition Signatures 3 February 2014 26 June 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141207221340/http://www.mpbn.net/Home/tabid/36/ctl/ViewItem/mid/5347/ItemId/32047/Default.aspx 7 December 2014 dmy-all On 5 March, Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap certified 63,626 valid signatures.WMTW TV http://www.wmtw.com/news/citizens-referendum-to-restrict-bear-hunting-methods-advances/24818322#!4vZ2W Sharon Handy Citizen's referendum to restrict bear hunting methods advances 5 March 2014 26 June 2014 Under Maine law, MQ1 was then submitted to the Maine Legislature for action as LD 1845 IB 1."An Act To Prohibit the Use of Dogs, Bait or Traps When Hunting Bears Except under Certain Circumstances" Maine Legislature Retrieved 30 November 2014. On 25 March, the legislature indefinitely postponed action on MQ 5, thereby sending it to the voters. Secretary Dunlap released the final wording of the question on 25 June. It was "Do you want to ban bear hunting using bait, traps or dogs except to protect property, public safety or for research?" As the only citizen referendum to reach the ballot, it was designated Question 1 per Maine law.Bangor Daily News http://stateandcapitol.bangordailynews.com/2014/06/26/state-releases-final-ballot-question-on-bear-referendum/ Aislinn Sarnacki State releases final wording of ballot question on bear referendum 26 June 2014 26 June 2014 Campaign Opponents of the petition gathering effort announced the formation of Save Maine's Bear Hunt (SMBH) on September 23, 2013. SMBH had the support of the three major candidates for governor in 2014, and of 80 state legislators and 20 organizations. SMBH characterized the referendum as a vote on how to manage wildlife in Maine, and not on hunting methods, believing that wildlife professionals know best how to manage the bear population. They further criticized the intervention of HSUS in a local matter.Bangor Daily News http://bangordailynews.com/2013/09/23/outdoors/maine-bear-hunting-referendum-opponents-unveil-coalition/ John Holyoke Maine bear hunting referendum opponents unveil coalition September 23, 2013 June 26, 2014 MFBH stated their goal was to end what they call "cruel and unsportsmanlike" practices, which they claimed were not necessary to control the bear population in Maine. They also claimed the previous referendum effort failed due to "scare tactics" and misinformation.Bangor Daily News http://bangordailynews.com/2013/08/07/politics/groups-join-in-effort-for-new-maine-bear-hunting-referendum/?ref=relatedBox John Holyoke Groups join in effort for new Maine bear hunting referendum August 7, 2013 June 26, 2014 MFBH was almost entirely funded by HSUS. From 28 May to 15 July, HSUS gave $780,000 to MFBH. In the same period, SMBH and other opponents raised about $250,000. HSUS president Wayne Pacelle personally canvassed homes in Portland on August 10,Bangor Daily News http://bangordailynews.com/2014/08/11/politics/visit-by-u-s-humane-society-president-brings-national-view-to-maines-bear-baiting-vote/ Aislinn Sarnacki Visit by U.S. humane society president brings national view to Maine's bear baiting vote August 11, 2014 August 11, 2014 and in Bangor on September 13.Bangor Daily News http://bangordailynews.com/2014/09/14/news/bangor/humane-society-ceo-goes-door-to-door-in-bangor-to-solicit-support-to-ban-inhumane-unsporting-bear-hunting-practices/ Nick McCrea Humane Society CEO goes door to door in Bangor to solicit support to ban 'inhumane, unsporting bear hunting practices' September 14, 2014 September 15, 2014 The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIF&W) and DIF&W Commissioner Chandler Woodcock officially opposed MQ1. MFBH sued DIF&W on September 30, demanding that DIF&W comply with MFBH's Freedom of Access Act requests, cease campaigning against Question 1, and repay state funds used for campaign activities. MFBH stated "We do respect the agency's right to provide factual information to voters, but they've repeatedly gone above and beyond that, and it's time for that to stop." Commissioner Woodcock called the lawsuit politically motivated and meant to "generate headlines".Bangor Daily News http://bangordailynews.com/2014/09/30/outdoors/bear-referendum-proponents-sue-maine-wildlife-department-for-campaign-activities/ Aislinn Sarnacki Bear referendum proponents sue Maine wildlife department for campaign activities September 30, 2014 September 30, 2014 MFBH asked for an emergency injunction to stop DFI&W's campaigning. In response, DIF&W announced on October 17 that it would stop using state funds to oppose the referendum, while maintaining that its actions were lawful.Bangor Daily News http://bangordailynews.com/2014/10/17/outdoors/maine-wildlife-department-halts-use-of-state-money-to-campaign-against-question-1-in-response-to-hearing-3/ Aislinn Sarnacki Maine wildlife department halts use of state money to campaign against Question 1 in response to hearing October 17, 2014 October 17, 2014 Maine Superior Court Judge Joyce Wheeler denied the request for the injunction on October 22, stating that "The public interest would be adversely affected if plaintiffs' request for a temporary restraining order were granted when DIF&W's speech is on topics squarely within 'its competence as governor'" of Legislative directives. The Maine Attorney General's office called the ruling a victory for free speech, while MFBH said "Our government shouldn't be telling us how to vote."Bangor Daily News http://bangordailynews.com/2014/10/22/politics/elections/judge-maine-wildlife-department-can-campaign-on-bear-hunting-question/ Judy Harrison Judge: Maine wildlife department can campaign on bear hunting question October 17, 2014 October 22, 2014 After the failure of the referendum, it was speculated that its presence on the ballot aided Paul LePage's reelection as Governor, as it brought out voters also amenable to supporting LePage.http://bangordailynews.com/2014/11/05/the-point/a-shock-upset-or-inevitable-victory-how-lepage-won-a-second-term-as-maine-governor/ Shock upset or inevitable victory? How LePage won a second term as governor 5 November 2014 Polling Date of opinion pollConducted bySample size(likely voters)YesNoUndecidedMargin of Error October 23–29, 2014Bangor Daily News/Ipsos poll results, October 23-29, 2014 Bangor Daily News/Ipsos 488 45% 49% 6% ±5.1% October 15–21, 2014Poll: A majority of Mainers oppose ban on bear-baiting, October 26, 2014 University of New Hampshire 667 36% 57% 7% ±3.8% October 6–12, 2014 Bangor Daily News/Ipsos 540 43% 49% 7% ±4.8% September 18–25, 2014In Maine gubernatorial race, bear baiting referendum could have the sleeper effect University of New Hampshire 441 41% 53% 6% ±4.4% June 12–18, 2014 University of New Hampshire 441 48% 44% 8% ±4.4% Notable endorsements Supporters American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Humane Society of the United StatesMainers for Fair Bear Hunting endorsements International Fund for Animal Welfare People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals State Representative Alan Casavant (D-Biddeford), Mayor of Biddeford State Representative Ben Chipman (I-Portland) State Representative Denise Harlow (D-Portland) Kesha, musician Bernd Heinrich, naturalist, author, University of Vermont biology professor Bill Maher, comedian, TV hostBangor Daily News http://stateandcapitol.bangordailynews.com/2014/09/15/famous-talk-show-host-bill-maher-endorses-referendum-to-ban-bear-baiting/ Famous talk show host Bill Maher endorses referendum to ban bear baiting September 15, 2014 September 15, 2014 Paul C. Paquet, wildlife research biologist, University of Victoria professor Steve Woods, chairman of the Yarmouth Town Council, former U.S. Senate candidate Biddeford Journal Tribunehttp://www.journaltribune.com/opinion/article_3a633a10-3ac0-11e4-8945-0fa9175b3cdd.html Real sportsmen don't need bait, hounds or traps https://archive.today/20140925200543/http://www.journaltribune.com/opinion/article_3a633a10-3ac0-11e4-8945-0fa9175b3cdd.html 2014-09-25 Journal-Tribune 2014-09-13 Brunswick Times-RecordThe Times Record http://www.timesrecord.com/news/2014-05-20/Editorial/Bear_baiting.html Bear baiting May 20, 2014 July 7, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140714213207/http://www.timesrecord.com/news/2014-05-20/Editorial/Bear_baiting.html July 14, 2014 mdy-all Portsmouth, New Hampshire HeraldThe Portsmouth Herald http://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20141014/OPINION/141019581/101131/NEWS It's time to ban bear baiting October 14, 2014 October 14, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141022192614/http://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20141014/OPINION/141019581/101131/NEWS October 22, 2014 dead Opponents Angus King, Independent U.S. senator and former governor.http://georgesoutdoornews.bangordailynews.com/2014/04/05/maine-woods/senator-angus-king-defends-maines-bear-management/ Senator Angus King defends Maine's bear management Bangor Daily News.com April 5, 2014 April 6, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140413093811/http://georgesoutdoornews.bangordailynews.com/2014/04/05/maine-woods/senator-angus-king-defends-maines-bear-management/ April 13, 2014 dead AFL-CIO of Maine National Rifle Association of America Sportsman's Alliance of Maine Shenna Bellows, 2014 Democratic U.S. Senate candidateBangor Daily News http://bangordailynews.com/2014/10/21/politics/elections/collins-bellows-disagree-over-minimum-wage-health-care-in-first-debate/?ref=latest Paula Brewer Collins, Bellows disagree over minimum wage, health care in first debate October 21, 2014 October 21, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20240613110121/https://www.bangordailynews.com/2014/10/21/politics/elections/collins-bellows-disagree-over-minimum-wage-health-care-in-first-debate/?ref=latest June 13, 2024 live State Senator Emily Cain (D-Penobscot), candidate for U.S Representative Eliot Cutler, candidate for governor Paul LePage, Governor of Mainehttp://savemainesbearhunt.com/endorsements/ Save Maine's Bear Hunt endorsements 2014-06-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20130930172220/http://savemainesbearhunt.com/endorsements/ 2013-09-30 Kris MacCabe, Maine Game Warden, cast member of North Woods Law TV showhttp://stateandcapitol.bangordailynews.com/2014/09/02/maine-game-warden-kris-maccabe-stars-in-video-opposing-question-1/ Maine game warden Kris MacCabe stars in video opposing Question 1 Bangor Daily News.com September 2, 2014 September 2, 2014 U.S. Representative Mike Michaud, candidate for governor Ted Nugent, musicianBangor Daily News http://stateandcapitol.bangordailynews.com/2014/06/26/ted-nugent-speaks-out-against-bear-referendum/ Aislinn Sarnacki Ted Nugent speaks out against bear referendum June 26, 2013 June 26, 2014 Bruce Poliquin, former state treasurer of Maine, candidate for U.S Representative Chandler Woodcock, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner, former state senator Bangor Daily NewsBangor Daily News http://bangordailynews.com/2014/10/17/opinion/editorials/no-on-question-1-the-facts-are-on-the-side-of-baiting/ No on Question 1: The facts are on the side of baiting October 17, 2014 October 17, 2014 MaineToday Media newspapers: Portland Press Herald, Kennebec Journal, Morning SentinelKennebec Journal http://www.centralmaine.com/2014/10/19/our-opinion-question-1-too-broad-claims-are-unproven/ OUR OPINION: Vote no on Question 1 October 19, 2014 October 19, 2014 Declined to endorse U.S. Senator Susan Collins References 30em External links Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting, supporters of the referendum Save Maine's Bear Hunt, opponents of the referendum Category:Hunting in the United States Category:2014 Maine ballot measures Category:Hunting referendums