Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0604
Committee: State and Local Government
Sponsors: PLOWMAN, CUSHING, FOSSEL, WEA VER

MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE 
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124th MAINE LEGISLATU 
Legislative Document 
No. 604 
S.P.219 
In Senate, February 17,2009 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine To Provide for the Popular Election of the Attorney General 
Reference to the Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Senator PLOWMAN of Penobscot. 
9tf)(J~ 
JOY 1. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Cosponsored by Representatives: CUSHING of Hampden, FOSSEL of Alna, ~ A VIELLO of 
Wilton, WEA VER of York. 
Printed on recycled pnper 
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Constitutional amendment. Resolved:. Two thirds of each branch of the 
Legislature concurring, that the following amendment to the Constitution of Maine be 
. proposed: 
. . 
.. Constitution, Art. IX, §11 is amended to read: 
. Section 11. Attorney General. The Attorney General shall be chosen biennially 
by j oint ballot popular election on the same date and in the same manner as provided 
by this Constitution for the election of the Senators and Representatives ffi 
:.on3l~!iQ11._ Y~<::~I!cy in BiIiEl that offic:e occurring when the Legislature is not in 
bAssion, may must be filled by appointment by the Governor, subject to confirmation 
as required by this Constitution for Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court. 
; and be it further 
Constitutional referendum procedure; form of question; effective 
date. Resolved: That the municipal officers of this State shailnotify 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-iIi the month of 
November following the passage of this resolution, to vote up,on the ratification of the 
amendment proposed in this resolution by voting upon the following question: 
"Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to provide that, beginning in 
2010, the Attorney General be elected by the people biennially in the same 
I1).anner as members of the Senate and the House of Representatives?" 
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 shall 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 the p-l.lrp-oses of this referendum. 
SUMMARY 
This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to proVide for 
popular election of the Attorney General in the manner currently provided for the 
members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, beginning in 2010. 
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