ELLSWORTH — Voters across the state will cast their ballots on four referendum questions Nov. 8, including a people’s veto, two citizen initiatives and a constitutional amendment.

Question 1 — a people’s veto brought by petition — asks whether voters want to reject a law passed this year that requires new voters to register to vote at least two business days prior to an election.

The question asks whether voters want to reject or accept amendments to Maine’s voter registration laws enacted this past June that repealed the law that allowed voters to register on Election Day.

A “yes” vote rejects the amendments to Maine’s voter registration laws and allows Election Day registration to continue. A “no” vote accepts the amendments and requires voters to register at least two business days prior to an election.

Question 2 — a citizen initiative brought by petition — asks voters whether they want to allow a slot machine facility at a harness racing track in Biddeford or another community within 25 miles of Scarborough Downs and at a harness racing track in Washington County.

This proposed legislation would authorize the licensing of up to two additional slot machine facilities in Maine.

A “yes” vote would enact the legislation. A “no” vote would defeat the legislation.

According to the Office of Fiscal and Program Review, the estimated potential revenues from two additional slot machine facilities with a total of 2,000 additional slot machines in Maine would generate $34,134,824 annually for the state’s general fund and $19,701,336 for various other funds.

The general fund also would receive license fees of $564,500 in the first year and $213,250 for subsequent license renewals. Annual related costs to the state are estimated at $1,897,471.

Question 3 — a citizen initiative — also deals with gambling in Maine and asks voters whether they want to allow a casino with table games and slot machines in Lewiston.

A portion of the profits would support specific state and local programs.

According to the Office of Fiscal and Program Review, estimated potential revenues generated from one new slot machine facility with 1,000 slot machines would add $6,534,000 annually to the state’s general fund and $20,908,800 to various other funds.

The general fund also would receive $414,500 in license fees the first year and $188,250 for subsequent renewals. Related costs to the state are estimated at $1,123,661 annually.

A “yes” vote would enact the legislation. A “no” vote would defeat the legislation.

Question 4 — a proposed constitutional amendment — asks voters whether they favor amending the constitution of Maine to change the years of redistricting the Maine Legislature, U.S. congressional districts and county commissioner districts.

If approved, redistricting would occur for the Legislature that convenes in 2013 and also for the Legislature that convenes in 2021 and every 10th year thereafter.

“Maine’s constitution currently provides that legislative districts must be reapportioned based on census data every 10 years, starting in 1983,” according to information from the Office of the Maine Attorney General.

As it stands, redistricting occurs in the third year after the federal 10-year census. The proposed amendment would move the year of redistricting up to the first year following the census. Redistricting based on the 2020 federal census would occur in 2021, rather than 2023, and every 10 years thereafter.

A “yes” vote approves the constitutional amendment. A “no” vote rejects the constitutional amendment.

For more political news, pick up a copy of The Ellsworth American.