Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1178
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
Sponsors: COREY, DIAMOND, CONNOR, LIBBY, WADSWORTH, WARREN, WHITE, CHIPMAN, LUCHINI, ROSEN

Legislative Document
No. 1178
H.P. 856
House of Representatives, March 22, 2021
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine To Prohibit the Consideration of a People's Veto at a 
Presidential Primary
Received by the Clerk of the House on March 18, 2021.  Referred to the Committee on 
Veterans and Legal Affairs pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint 
Rule 401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative COREY of Windham.
Cosponsored by Senator DIAMOND of Cumberland and
Representatives: CONNOR of Lewiston, LIBBY of Auburn, WADSWORTH of Hiram, 
WARREN of Hallowell, WHITE of Waterville, Senators: CHIPMAN of Cumberland, 
LUCHINI of Hancock, ROSEN of Hancock.
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, §17, sub-§3 is amended to read:
3.  Referral to electors; proclamation by Governor.  As soon as it appears that 
the effect of any Act, bill, resolve, or resolution or part or parts thereof has been suspended 
by petition in manner aforesaid, the Governor by public proclamation shall give notice 
thereof and of the time when such measure is to be voted on by the people, which shall be 
at the next statewide or general election, whichever comes first, not less than 60 days after 
such proclamation except that such measure may not be voted on at a presidential primary 
election.  If the Governor fails to order such measure to be submitted to the people at the 
next statewide or general election except for a presidential primary election, the Secretary 
of State shall, by proclamation, order such measure to be submitted to the people at such 
an election and such order shall be sufficient to enable the people to vote.
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 prohibit the 
consideration of a people's veto at a presidential primary election?"
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 a constitutional amendment to prohibit the consideration of a 
people's veto at a presidential primary election.