Sec. 11. Referendum for ratification; submission at statewide election; form of question; effective date. This Act must be submitted to the legal voters of the State of Maine at the next statewide election held on the Tuesday following the first Monday of November following passage of this Act. The municipal officers of this State shall notify the inhabitants of their respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, in the manner prescribed by law for holding a statewide election, to vote on the acceptance or rejection of this Act by voting on the following question:

"Do you favor a $120,000,000 bond issue to be issued over a 3-year period to purchase public lands and easements from willing sellers for public outdoor access and recreation, farmland preservation and conservation and to protect wildlife habitat?"

The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on this question and designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within a corresponding square below the word "Yes" or "No." The ballots must be received, sorted, counted and declared in open ward, town and plantation meetings and returns made to the Secretary of State in the same manner as votes for members of the Legislature. The Governor shall review the returns and, if a majority of the legal votes are cast in favor of the Act, the Governor shall proclaim the result without delay, and the Act becomes effective 30 days after the date of the proclamation.

The Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all ballots, returns and copies of this Act necessary to carry out the purpose of this referendum.

SUMMARY

The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of $120,000,000, will be used by the Land for Maine's Future Board to acquire lands and easements from willing sellers for public outdoor access and recreation, farmland preservation and conservation and to protect wildlife habitat. The bonds are to be issued over a 3-year period.