Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0605
Committee: State and Local Government
Sponsors: PLOWMAN, SA VIELLO

Legislative Document 
No. 605 
S.P.220 
In Senate, February 17, 2009 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine To Provide for the Popular Election of the Secretary of State 
Reference to the Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Senator PLOWMAN of Penobscot. 
9tfJ(J~ 
JOY J. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Cosponsored by Represent?ltives: FITTS of Pittsfield, SA VIELLO of Wilton. 
Printe~ on recycled pilpcr 
Constitutional amendment. R.esolved: Two thirds of each branch of the 
Legislature concurring, that the following amendment to the Constitution of Maine be 
proposed: 
Constitution, Art~ V, Pt. Second, §lis repealed and the following enacted in 
its place: 
Section 1. Election. The Secretary of State must be chosen biennially by 
popular election on the same date and in the same manner, as provided by this 
Constitution for the election of Senators and Representatives. Vacancy in that office 
must be filled by appointment by the Governor, subject to confmnation as required 
by this Constitution for Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court. 
; and be it further 
Constitutiomil referendum' procedure; form of question; effective 
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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 
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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 Secretary of State be elected by the people biennially in the same 
manner as the 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 a,nd 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, 
sort~d, Gounted and declared in open ward, towri and plantation meetings and retID-ns< 
made to the Secretary of State iri the saine 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 
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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 purposes of this referendum. 
SUMMARY 
This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to provide for direct 
popular election of the Secretary of State in the manner currently provided for the 
members ofthe Senate and the House of Representatives, beginning in 2010. 
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