Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1417
Committee: State and Local Government
Sponsors: STETKIS

Legislative Document 
No. 1417 
H.P. 964 
House of Representatives, May 19, 2015 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine To Change the Selection Process for the Attorney General 
Reference to the Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed. 
ROBERT B. HUNT 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative STETKIS of Canaan.  (GOVERNOR'S BILL) 
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 Governor shall nominate and, subject to the 
same confirmation procedure as that for Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court, appoint 
the Attorney General shall be chosen biennially by joint ballot of the Senators and 
Representatives in convention.  Vacancy in said office occurring when the Legislature is 
not in session, may 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 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 change the process 
for selection of the Attorney General, requiring the Governor to nominate 
and appoint the Attorney General subject to confirmation by the Senate, 
the same selection process used for Justices of the Supreme Judicial 
Court?" 
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 purposes of this referendum. 
SUMMARY 
This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to change the selection 
process for the Attorney General.  Currently, the Attorney General is selected by the 
Legislature.  This resolution proposes that the Governor nominate and appoint the 
Attorney General, subject to confirmation by the Senate.