An Act To Make Ballot Questions Easier To Read and Understand for Maine Voters
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0534
Committee Amendment CA_A_H277 (House)
Amends: 21-A MRSA §906

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A "to H.P. 391, L.D. 534, Bill, "An Act To Make 
Ballot Questions Easier To Read and Understand for Maine Voters" 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the 
emergency clause and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 21-A MRSA §906, sub-§6, 118 and C, as repealed and replaced by PL 
1993, c. 352, §3, are amended to read: 
B. The Secretary of State shall write the question in a simple, clear, concise and 
direct manner that describes the subject matter of the people's veto or direct initiative 
as simply as is possible. 
C. The question for a direct initiative must be phrased so that an affirmative vote is 
in favor of the people's veto or direct initiative. 
Sec. 2. 21-A MRSA §906, sub-§8 is enacted to read: 
8. Explanation of effect of "yes" or "no" vote. The Secretary of State shall 
include on the ballot for each referendum question those portions of the statement 
prepared by the Attorney General pursuant to Title 1. section 353 that describe what a 
"yes" vote favors and what a "no" vote opposes. These statements must appear directly 
below the relevant referendum question and above the place on the ballot for the voter to 
designate the voter's choice.' 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment strikes and replaces the bill but retains the emergency preamble and 
emergency clause. The amendment makes the following changes to the laws governing 
the printing of ballots for referendum questions. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ·A "to H.P. 391, L.D. 534 
1. It requires that the Secretary of State draft the ballot question for a people's veto or 
a direct initiative in a clear, concise and direct manner that describes the subject matter of 
the people's veto or direct initiative as simply as is possible. 
2. It eliminates the requirement that questions for a people's veto referendum be 
phrased so that an affirmative vote is in favor of the people's veto. 
3. It requires that an explanation of the effect of a "yes" vote and the effect of a "no" 
vote be printed on the ballot immediately below each referendum question, including 
each people's veto, direct initiative, bond issue, constitutional amendment and other 
legislatively proposed referendum question. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 05/11/19 feac. 
LD534 
LR 1686(02) 
An Act To Make Ballot Questions Easier To Read and Understand for Maine Voters 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment .'41 (H-271) 
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs 
Referendum Costs 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Current biennium cost increase - General Fund 
Month/Year 
Nov-19 
Election Type 
General 
Question 
Bond Issue 
Length 
Standard 
Including the Attorney General's statement explaining what a "yes" vote favors and what a "no" vote opposes for each 
referendum question on the ballot may require a second ballot to be printed. The Secretary of State's budget includes 
sufficient funds to accommodate one ballot of average length for the general election in November. If the number or 
size of the referendum questions requires production and delive1y of a second ballot, an additional appropriation of 
$172,000 may be required. 
LR1686(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1