PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Voters in Portland, Maine, have rejected a measure that would have restricted rent increases and made it more difficult for landlords to evict tenants.
With all precincts reporting Tuesday, Question 1 on the city ballot was defeated by a nearly two-to-one margin. More than half of families living in Portland are renters and the market currently determines what renters are charged.
If the measure was approved, city rents would have been frozen and rent increases would have been capped at 10 percent.
Brit Vitalius, a spokesman for the Say No To Rent Control Group, says his campaign was “pleasantly surprised” that voters overwhelmingly rejected the measure.
Fair Rent Portland organizer Jack O’Brien says his campaign is glad to have advanced discussion on rent costs at a minimum.
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