Learn more about the ballot questions

 As the Nov. 3 election draws near, there will be plenty of chances to learn more about the ballot questions from forums to debates to a documentary screening at the University of Southern Maine.

 The Maine Center for Constitutional Studies is sponsoring a ballot question discussion forum on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Cabela’s in Scarborough. A press release from the group says representatives from both sides of all issues have been invited to participate, but it doesn’t say whether any of them have committed to the event.

 Anyway, if you’re in the market for some sporting goods and want to hear about the issues, here’s the lineup:

 •9:30 a.m.: School District Consolidation

 •10:30: Excise tax cut

 •12:30: Tabor II

 •1:30: Same-sex marriage
 
 •2:30: Medical marijuana, the $71 million transportation bond, and a constitutional amendment to increase the amount of time local officials have to certify signatures on a direct initiative petition.

 The center was founded earlier this year after conservative talk show host Glenn Beck put out a call to return America to its “founding principles.”

 From a far different point on the political perspective, USM Professor Wendy Chapkis will host a documentary screening of “Waiting to Inhale,” which examines the use of medical marijuana in the U.S.

 The screening is open to the public and will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 21 at Talbot Lecture Hall, USM’s Luther Bonney Hall in Portland.

 And, last but not least, WMTW-TV 8 is working with the Portland Press Herald, Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel to schedule a debate on the same-sex marriage question. It will likely be in late October, but we’re still working on the exact time and date. I’ll keep you updated and let you know how to submit questions.