Published: November 10, 2025
The results from Maine’s 2025 referendum election are in.
Statewide results:
- Question 1: Failed
- Question 2: Passed
In Maine, voters across the state decided on two referendum questions. Question 1, which proposed new voting restrictions, failed, with about 64% voting against it.
The full text of Question 1 read: “do you want to change Maine election laws to eliminate two days of absentee voting, prohibit requests for absentee ballots by phone or family members, end ongoing absentee voter status for seniors and people with disabilities, ban prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes, limit the number of drop boxes, require voters to show certain photo ID before voting, and make other changes to our elections?”
Question 2, which proposed a red flag law for firearm owners, passed, with about 63% voting in favor.
The full text of Question 2 read: “do you want to allow courts to temporarily prohibit a person from having dangerous weapons if law enforcement, family, or household members show that the person poses a significant danger of causing physical injury to themselves or others?”
Portland results:
- Question A: Passed
- Pious Ali: Wins fourth term as city councilor at-large
In Portland, the two primary items on the ballot were the city councilor at-large race and a minimum wage increase.
Pious Ali won with about 64% of the vote. Ali, a Ghana-born Muslim, has built his image around making the city more welcoming for immigrants.
Question A proposed a gradual minimum wage increase to $19 an hour by 2028. Portland’s current minimum wage is $15.50. Under the new measure, it will rise to $16.75 in 2026, $17.75 in 2027 and $19 in 2028.
Notable national election results:
- Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani elected mayor of New York City
- Democrat Abigail Spanberger elected governor of Virginia
Democrat Mikie Sherrill elected governor of New Jersey - California voters approve plan to temporarily redraw congressional maps to add seats to the U.S. House
Across the country, Democrats and progressives swept the elections, performing better than expected and giving the struggling party confidence ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Only Virginia and New Jersey held gubernatorial elections, and Democrats won both. Democrats in Virginia elected Abigail Spanberger to a seat previously held by a term-limited Republican. Democrats in New Jersey elected Mikie Sherrill, maintaining control of the state.
Perhaps the most closely watched race in the country was the New York City mayoral election. Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of New York City with a slim majority, receiving just over 50% of the vote. Andrew Cuomo received about 41%, and Curtis Sliwa about 7%.
Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, has proposed rent freezes, universal child care, free and faster bus service, and city-run grocery stores to combat affordability issues. He has also pledged to fight Trump’s immigration policies. Mamdani is the first Muslim elected to the office.
Some moderate Democrats view Mamdani as a risk to the party’s image, but he drew strong support from young voters who turned out decisively for him, potentially signaling a generational shift in the party.
California voters approved a measure that will temporarily redraw congressional maps in an attempt to win seats in the 2026 midterms. Democratic Gov. Newsom has said the measure is necessary to counter Republican efforts initiated by President Trump elsewhere in the country.
Various other votes were held across the country for state legislatures, mayors, ballot measures and supreme court justices. Democrats did much better than expected in most races across the country, but next year’s midterm elections will decide whether they can regain control of the Senate and House.
