Supporters of 'right to food' amendment lead in early returns - Press Herald

ciloklinggar.blogspot.com

Maine’s “right to food” constitutional amendment had nearly a 2-1 margin of support two hours after the polls closed Tuesday night.

Statewide referendum Question 3, one of three questions on the ballot, asked voters if they favored an amendment to the Maine Constitution “to declare that all individuals have a natural, inherent and unalienable right to grow, raise, harvest, produce and consume the food of their own choosing for their own nourishment, sustenance, bodily health and well-being.” It’s an experiment not tried before by any state.

Support for Question 3 was leading Tuesday night, 116,994 to 71,574, or 62 percent to 38 percent, with 307 of 571 precincts reporting.

Supporters used the campaign to make the case the amendment would ensure the right to grow vegetables and raise livestock in an era when corporatization threatens local ownership of the food supply. They positioned the amendment as a chance for Mainers to wrestle control of the food supply back from large landowners and giant retailers with little connection to the community.

But opponents cast the drive as deceptively vague. They also said it represented a threat to food safety and animal welfare, and could encourage residents to try to raise cows in their backyards in cities like Portland and Bangor.

Sen. Craig Hickman, a Democrat and longtime supporter of the amendment, said he was “inspired this legislative session by the amount of bipartisanship that went into this amendment.” The Maine Legislature previously approved the proposal by a wide margin. However, amending the Maine Constitution also requires the approval of voters.

The proposed amendment was the result of effort by members of the state’s food sovereignty movement. The movement includes small farmers, raw milk fans, libertarians, liberals and anti-corporate activists who all feel local communities should have more of a say in the future of the food supply.

Maine enacted a food sovereignty law, the nation’s first of its kind, in 2017. That law allows local governments to OK small food producers selling directly to customers on site. Other states around the country have passed similar laws in the years since Maine passed its law.

Invalid username/password.

Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.

« Previous

Transportation bond gets strong support in early vote count

Biddeford elects mayor, city councilors at pivotal time in revitalization