PORTLAND (AP)- Determining the outcome of the race for the White House won’t be the only thing on voters’ minds when they head to the polls in November. Some in Maine are already thinking about referendums for 2005.

Four groups working on a variety of issues plan to collect enough signature on Nov. 2 to get referendums on the state’s ballot next year. They are seeking support for two referendums to cap government spending in Maine, one to tax companies that bottle Maine water, and another to make slot machines illegal.

Election Day has long been a busy one for referendum advocates. It is an ideal time to collect large numbers of signatures from registered voters, and each referendum campaign must submit 50,519 valid signatures to the state by Jan. 20, 2005, to get a question on the ballot.

Organizers have said they hope to collect most or even all of their signatures at the polls Nov. 2.

although they may have only enough volunteers to circulate petitions in some polling places, leaving others unattended.

Two of the groups already have state-approved petition questions to circulate and the other two should have their petition questions before Election Day.

Mary Adams of Garland will collect signatures for a proposed referendum that would link government spending to inflation and population growth or, in the case of school districts, to inflation and student enrollment.

“We’re trying to put a bit in the mouth of government and give the reins to the taxpayers,” she said.

The Maine State Chamber of Commerce also plans to collect signatures for an initiated bill that would peg government spending to the growth in personal income and cap property taxes at 6 percent of income for all but the top tax bracket.

Chamber President Dana Connors said Monday the group hopes to persuade voters to reject the Palesky tax cap, which the chamber opposes, and embrace the chamber’s plan as a more responsible alternative.

A group billing itself as No Slots for ME! also planned to collect signature on Nov. 2. The group is circulating petitions to ban slot machines as Bangor gears up for the creation of a racino at the Bangor Raceway.

Under the state constitution, which authorizes initiated referendums, the Legislature gets first crack at any proposed referendum with enough signatures. But the Legislature’s choices are limited.

The referendums on this November’s ballot include capping property taxes at 1 percent, or $10 per $1,000 valuation. The other would ban the use of dogs, traps and bait to hunt bears.

AP-ES-10-05-04 0217EDT

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