Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0715
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
Sponsors: CRAIG, BRADSTREET, FOLEY, HERRICK, JOHANSEN, KINNEY, PICCHIOTTI, TUELL, WHITTEMORE

Legislative Document
No. 715
H.P. 506
House of Representatives, February 28, 2017
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine To Amend the Citizen Initiative Process
Reference to the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative CRAIG of Brewer.
Cosponsored by Representatives: BRADSTREET of Vassalboro, FOLEY of Wells, HERRICK 
of Paris, JOHANSEN of Monticello, KINNEY of Knox, PICCHIOTTI of Fairfield, TUELL of 
East Machias, Senator: WHITTEMORE of Somerset.
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. IV, Pt. Third, §18, sub-§2 is amended to read: 
2.  Referral to electors unless enacted by the Legislature without change; 
number of signatures necessary on direct initiative petitions; dating signatures on 
petitions; competing measures.  For any measure thus proposed by electors, the number 
of petition must contain signatures shall not be less than 10% of at least 15% of the total 
vote for Governor cast in the last gubernatorial election preceding the filing of such 
petition registered voters in each county.  The date each signature was made shall be 
written next to the signature on the petition.  A signature is not valid if it is dated more 
than one year prior to the date that the petition was filed in the office of the Secretary of 
State.  The measure thus proposed, unless enacted without change by the Legislature at 
the session at which it is presented, shall be submitted to the electors together with any 
amended form, substitute, or recommendation of the Legislature, and in such manner that 
the people can choose between the competing measures or reject both. No earlier than 90 
days before the referendum vote and no later than 30 days before the referendum vote, the 
Secretary of State shall hold at least one public debate on the measure in each senatorial 
district at which the full text of the measure and any amended form, substitute, or 
recommendation of the Legislature must be read aloud in its entirety.  When there are 
competing bills and neither receives a majority of the votes given for or against both, the 
one receiving the most votes shall at the next statewide election to be held not less than 
days after the first vote thereon be submitted by itself if it receives more than 1/3 of 
the votes given for and against both.  If the measure initiated is enacted by the Legislature 
without change, it shall not go to a referendum vote unless in pursuance of a demand 
made in accordance with the preceding section.  The Legislature may order a special 
election on any measure that is subject to a vote of the people. 
; 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 require that a 
direct initiative petition contain signatures of at least 15% of the 
registered voters in each county and that the Secretary of State hold a 
public debate in each senatorial district on the measure proposed in the 
initiative?" 
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 require that a direct 
initiative petition contain signatures of at least 15% of the registered voters in each 
county.  The Constitution of Maine currently requires a petition to contain a number of 
signatures equal to at least 10% of the total vote for Governor cast in the last 
gubernatorial election. 
This resolution requires the Secretary of State to hold at least one public debate on 
the measure proposed in the petition in each senatorial district at which the full text of the 
measure and any amended form, substitute or recommendation of the Legislature must be 
read aloud in its entirety.