Resolve, To Establish a Study Commission To Study Methods To Improve Ballot Access
Maine Legislature, Session 122, LD 1608
Committee Amendment CA_A_S316 (Senate)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT A" to S.P. 590, L.D. 1608, "Resolve, 
To 
Establish a 
Study Commission To 
Study Methods 
To 
Improve 
Ballot Access" 
Amend the resolve by striking out the title and substituting 
the following: 
' Resolve, To Establish a Study Conanission To Study Al ternati ve 
Votinq Procedures, the Citizen Initiative Process and Minor Party 
Ballot Access' 
Further 
amend 
the 
resolve in the emergency preamble 
by 
striking out all of the 2nd paragraph (page 1, lines 5 and 6 in 
L.D.) and inserting in its place the following: 
'Whereas, this legislation establishes the Commission To 
Study 
Alternative 
Voting 
Procedures, 
the 
Citizen 
Initiative 
Process and Minor Party Ballot Access; and' 
Further amend the resolve by striking out all of sections I 
and 2 and inserting in their place the following: 
-Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: 
That the Commission 
To Study Alternative Voting Procedures, the Citizen Initiative 
Process 
and Minor Party Ballot Access, 
referred to 
in this 
resolve as "the commission," is established; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: 
That the commission 
consists of 13 members appointed as follows: 
1. 
Three members of the Senate, appointed by the President 
of the Senate. 
When making the appointments, the President of 
Page l-LR2319(2) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT .. ,4 to S.P. 590, L.D. 1608 
the 
Senate 
shall 
ensure 
representation 
from 
parties and give preference to members from the 
Committee on Legal and Veterans' Affairs; 
both political 
Joint Standing 
2. 
Five members of the House of Representatives, appointed 
by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
When making the 
appointments, the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall 
ensure 
representation 
from 
the 
major 
parties, 
include 
an 
unenrolled 
member 
or 
a 
member 
of 
a 
minor 
party 
and 
give 
preference to members from the Joint Standing Committee on Legal 
and Veterans' Affairs; 
3. 
The Secretary of State or a designee; 
4. 
The Attorney General or a designee; 
5. 
A representative of the Maine Municipal Association: 
6. 
A representative of the Maine Town and City Clerks' 
Association; and 
7. 
A member of the public, appointed by the Governor.' 
Further amend the resolve by striking out all of section 5 
and inserting in its place the following: 
'Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: 
That the commission shall examine 
proposals to improve ballot access and address issues regarding 
elections and the citizen initiative process, including, but not 
limited to: 
1. 
The 
institution of 
an 
"instant 
run-off" 
method 
of 
determining the winners of elections, which simulates the ballot 
counts that would occur if all voters participated in a series of 
run-off elections and allows a voter to rank candidates according 
to that voter's preferences; 
2. 
The implementation of "fusion voting," which authorizes 
cross-endorsement 
or 
the 
practice 
of 
multiple 
parties 
or 
political designations nominating the same candidate; 
3. 
Facilitating the formation of minor political parties; 
4. 
The implementation of a vote-by-mail system; and 
5. 
Informing the public about the 
fiscal implications of 
proposed citizen initiated legislation; 
and be it further' 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ,~, to S.P. 590, L.D. 1608 
SUMMARY 
This amendment changes the name of the study commission, 
alters the membership and includes in the commission's duties the 
duty to 
inform the public about 
the fiscal 
implications of 
proposed citizen initiated legislation. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 05/27/05 .:tP'ac:.. 
LD 1608 
LR 2319(02) 
Resolve, To Establish a Study Commission To Study Methods To Improve Ballot Access 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee AmendmentA, 
Committee: Legal and Veterans Mfairs 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Current Costs - Legislative Study 
Legislative Study 
The projected costs to fund the general operating expenses of the Commission to Study Methods to Improve Ballot 
Access are $4,7~0 in fiscal year 2005-06. The Legislature's current budget includes $30,000 in fiscal year 2005-06 
and $20,000 in fiscal year 2006-07 for legislative studies. Whether the amounts are sufficient to fund all studies will 
depend on the number of studies authorized by the Legislative Council and the Legislature. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Any additional costs associated with participating as a member of the commission can be absorbed by the Department 
of the Secretary of State and the Department of the Attorney General utilizing existing budgeted resources. 
LR2319(2) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1