Main menu

Pages

Portland Poll Questions Make Big Contributions to BQC

featured image

The BQC urged voters to reject all referendum questions and raised more than $430,000, according to campaign reports.

PORTLAND, Maine — Portland voters will be faced with 13 different ballot questions this November, and several poll question committees have been formed to raise funds to influence voters. I was.

According to a campaign finance report filed with the city of Portland, eight groups were formed and collectively raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. Enough is Enough, a group urging voters to reject all ballot measures, has raised more than $439,000.

Quincy Henzel, president and CEO of the Portland Area Chamber of Commerce, said, “We believe the funds raised in this campaign are a direct reflection of the importance of the issues being voted on.” I think these 13 referendums will have a direct impact on the different people who work in Portland, and the cost of living in Portland will be high.”

The Portland Area Chamber of Commerce has reportedly donated $25,000 to Enough is Enough. Many of the donations came from local businesses, residents and local interest groups, but some donations from state organizations have been met with backlash.

“We all know money buys a lot in politics, but it doesn’t buy Portland voters.

Companies like DoorDash and Uber each donated $50,000 to Enough is Enough, according to campaign materials.

RELATED: Take a Closer Look at the Portland Charter Commission’s Proposals

Another former charter commissioner, Catherine Buxton, said, “I hope Portlanders will buy their votes regardless of how they feel about the right of businesses to spend their money in our city. I don’t want it,” he said.

Enough Enough Significantly outperforms other voting questions committees. The next fundraiser to file an October quarterly report was Restaurant Industry United group, which reportedly raised more than $128,000, according to filings.

In 2020, Portland voters saw five different referendum questions. No voting questions committee raised more than $200,000 that year, according to filings.

While referring to the fair election proposal Portland voters regard as Question 3, Buxton said, “So much money is going into campaigns that are going against a series of ballot questions. One is about campaign spending reform and engagement.”

Portland voters will have final say on 13 questions on November 8. Early voting is now available at your local government office. You can also request an absentee ballot.

MORE NEWS CENTER Maine Articles

Download the NEWS CENTER Maine mobile app for the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts.

Comments