Portland voters face two city ballot questions

By Tony Zeli

Two city ballot questions ask voters to amend the city’s emergency wage and short-term rental ordinances.

Question 1 – An Act to Amend the City of Portland’s Emergency Wage Provision

Currently, Portland’s emergency wage provisions go into effect whenever the State of Maine declares a state of emergency. Portland businesses must pay 1.5 times the minimum wage, regardless of whether the City of Portland has declared an emergency. Question 1 asks Portland voters to amend the ordinance so that the city’s emergency wage only goes into effect after the City of Portland declares an emergency.

Proponents push for local control and are concerned that Portland businesses are burdened by high wages. Opponents say Portland workers who live outside the city could be impacted by emergencies even when Portland has not declared an emergency. They say this is an attempt to weaken the emergency wage ordinance.

Question 2 – An act to Amend Portland’s Short Term Rental Unit Registration Requirements

Question 2 seeks to amend short term rental rules to require owner-occupied rentals to register with both a proof of ID and proof of homestead exemption, as opposed to one or the other as is currently required. If the owner is not eligible for the homestead exemption, they must provide a copy of the owner’s most recent tax return with financial information redacted.

Also, Question 2 would require short term rentals on Peaks Island to verify whether the unit is seasonal or year-round.

ELECTION DAY – Polls open at 7am. Close 8pm.

All polling locations are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5th. Residents may register to vote or make any changes to their registrations at their polling place on Election Day. Voters must provide photo identification and proof of residency.

For more information on polling places including precinct maps visit https://www.portlandmaine.gov/177/Polling-Places.