Maine voters are getting the final say about whether to adopt the “Lone Pine” flag, top, inspired by the state’s original flag from 1901, or to stick with the current design, which features the state seal.

Maine will not get a new state flag.

About 55% of voters, or around 356,000, rejected a proposed redesign of the official flag with 80% of the votes counted at 1 p.m. Wednesday. The Associated Press called the race at 12:45 p.m.

A proposal to limit political donations to political action committees, or PACs, was approved.

Voters also appeared to support three other ballot proposals that, if ultimately passed when all the votes are counted, will authorize the state to borrow $65 million to promote research and development and commercialization of Maine’s tech industry, restore historic buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations, and develop and maintain trails.

Former state Rep. Sean Paulhus, D-Bath, sponsor of the 2023 legislation that authorized the referendum, said before the final vote was known that he was “very happy getting this far, getting it through the legislature and onto the ballot and finally out to the people.”

Question 5, if passed, would replace the current design featuring the official state seal with one based on an original 1901 design featuring a pine tree and a blue north star, commonly known as the Pine Tree Flag. Paulhus told fellow lawmakers at the time the legislation was considered that the original flag is unique and more easily recognizable.

The flag referendum followed years of debate about whether it should be changed at all and whether the pine tree should be realistic-looking like the original version or more abstract like a design that became popular in recent years and was used on T-shirts and other merchandise. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows settled in August on a lifelike adaptation of a pine tree, with the original blue star and buff background.

Bellows selected the winning submission from Adam Lemire, an architect from Gardiner, following a design contest that drew more than 400 submissions.

The proposal, if passed, was not expected to carry a financial cost for the state. State agencies would tap their budgets to replace the flag, assuming the changeover to a new flag occurs gradually as current standards become worn and frayed.

Here’s a look at the other four ballot questions.

Maine voters approved a new limit on campaign donations to political action committees and three bond proposals to support investments in research, historic preservation and trail maintenance.

Question 1, a proposal to cap contributions to political action committees, passed 74%-26% with 88% of votes counted. The measure  sets a $5,000 limit on contributions to PACs that make independent expenditures to elect or defeat candidates for public office.

Question 2, a $25 million bond issue for research and development and commercialization was leading, had 54,5% of the vote. The funding will support research and development and commercialization of Maine-based public and private institutions that support technological innovation.

Question 3, a $10 million bond issue to restore historic community buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations had a more narrow lead, with 51.2% of the vote.

Question 4, a $30 million bond issue to promote the design, development and maintenance of trails for outdoor recreation and active transportation had 55.2% of the vote.