Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 0153
Committee: State and Local Government
Sponsors: KINNEY, BRADSTREET, DOLLOFF, HALL, TUELL

Legislative Document
No. 153
H.P. 109
House of Representatives, January 21, 2021
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine To Change the Number of Legislators Required To Approve 
a Constitutional Amendment
Received by the Clerk of the House on January 19, 2021.  Referred to the Committee on 
State and Local Government pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint 
Rule 401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative KINNEY of Knox.
Cosponsored by Representatives: BRADSTREET of Vassalboro, DOLLOFF of Milton 
Township, HALL of Wilton, TUELL of East Machias.
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. X, Sec. 4 is amended to read:
Section 4.  Amendments to Constitution.  The Legislature, whenever 2/3 of both 
Houses all the members elected to each House shall deem it necessary, may propose 
amendments to this Constitution; and when any amendments shall be so agreed upon, a 
resolution shall be passed and sent to the selectmen of the several towns, and the assessors 
of the several plantations, empowering and directing them to notify the inhabitants of their 
respective towns and plantations, in the manner prescribed by law, at the next biennial 
meetings in the month of November, or to meet in the manner prescribed by law for calling 
and holding biennial meetings of said inhabitants for the election of Senators and 
Representatives, on the Tuesday following the first Monday of November following the 
passage of said resolve, to give in their votes on the question, whether such amendment 
shall be made; and if it shall appear that a majority of the inhabitants voting on the question 
are in favor of such amendment, it shall become a part of this Constitution.
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 a 2/3 vote of 
all the members elected to each House of the Legislature, rather than a 2/3 
vote of the members present, for the Legislature to propose an amendment 
to the Constitution of Maine?"
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.
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 an amendment to the Constitution of Maine to require a 2/3 
vote of all the members elected to each House of the Legislature, rather than a 2/3 vote of 
the members present, for the Legislature to propose an amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine.