Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0350
Committee: Legal and Veterans Affairs
Sponsors: MITCHELL, PINGREE, MARRACHE, SULLIVAN, BEAUDETTE, BEAULIEU, BERRY, TARDY, TRINWARD, VALENTINO

MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE 
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STATE LA\I\! LlBRARV 
AUGUSTA, fVlll,/NE 
124thMAINE LEGISLATURE 
FIRST P.£GULAR SESSION-2009 
Legislative Document 
No. 350 
S.P.114 
In Senate, February 3, 2009 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine Regarding Early Voting 
Submitted by the Secretary of State pursuant to Joint Rule 204. 
Reference to the Committee on Legal and Veterans Affairs suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by President MITCHELL of Kennebec. 
Cosponsored by Speaker PINGREE of North Haven and 
9tf)(J~ 
JOY 1. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Senators: MARRACHE of Kennebec, SULLIVAN of York, Representatives: BEAUDETTE of 
Biddeford, BEAULIEU of Auburn, BERRY of Bowdoinham, TARDY of Newport, 
TRINWARD of Waterville, VALENTINO of Sa co. 
Printed on • !!L:yclcd paF~' 
Constitutional amendment. Resolved: Two thirds of each branch of the 
Legislature concurring, that the following amendment to the Constitution of Maine be 
proposed: 
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Constitution, Art. ][I, §4 is amended to read: 
Section 4. Time of state election; absentee voting. The election of Senators 
and Representatives shall be on the Tuesday following the first Monday of November 
biennially forever and the election of Governor shall be on the Tuesday following the 
first Monday of November every 4 years. The Legislature by proper enactment may 
authorize a process to allow qualified voters to vote at polling places in or outside 
their election districts during the lO-day period immediately preceding an election. 
The Legislature ~ 
by proper enactment shall authorize and provide for voting by 
absentee ballot by citizens of the State absent therefrom in the Armed Forces 
uniformed service of the United States or of this State and for voting by absentee 
ballot by other citizens absent or physically incapacitated for reasons deemed 
Fmfficient as determined by the Legislature. 
; and be it further 
Constitutional referendum procedure; form of question; effective 
date. Resolved: That the municipal officers of this State shall notify the inhabitants 
of their respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, in the manner prescribed by 
law for holding a statewide election, at a statewide election held in the month of 
November following the passage of this resolution, to vote upon the ratification of the 
amendment proposed in this resolution by voting upon the following question: 
"Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to allow the Legislature. to 
authorize a process to allow qualified voters to vote at polling places in or outside 
their election districts during the lO-day period immediately preceding an election?" 
The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on this 
question and designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within the 
corresponding square below the word "Yes" or "No." The ballots must be received, 
sorted, counted and declared in open ward, town and plantation meetings and returns 
made to the Secretary of State in the same manner as votes for members of the 
" Legislature. The Governor shall review the returns. If it appears that a majority of the 
legal votes are cast in favor of the amendment, the Governor shall proclaim that fact 
without delay and the amendment becomes part of the Constitution of Maine on the 
date of the proclamation; and be it further 
Secretary of State shaH prepare ballots. Resolved: That the Secretary of 
State shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all ballots, returns· 
and copies of this resolution necessary to carry out theptirposes of this referendum. 
SUMMARY 
This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to allow the 
Legislature to authorize a process to allow qualified voters to vote at polling places in 
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or outside their election districts during the 10-day period immediately preceding an 
election.