Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1416
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
Sponsors: GRAHAM, BRIDGEO, DILL, EATON, STOVER, TERRY, THERIAULT

Legislative Document
No. 1416
H.P. 912
House of Representatives, March 30, 2023
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine to Increase the Percentage of the Population Required to 
Submit a State Referendum Question
Reference to the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative GRAHAM of North Yarmouth.
Cosponsored by Representatives: BRIDGEO of Augusta, DILL of Old Town, EATON of Deer 
Isle, STOVER of Boothbay, TERRY of Gorham, THERIAULT of Fort Kent.
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-§1 is amended to read:
1.  Petition procedure; petition for people's veto.  Upon written petition of 
electors, the number of which shall not be less than 10% 25% of the total vote for Governor 
cast in the last gubernatorial election preceding the filing of such petition, and addressed to 
the Governor and filed in the office of the Secretary of State by the hour of 5:00 p.m., on 
or before the 90th day after the recess of the Legislature, or if such 90th day is a Saturday, 
a Sunday, or a legal holiday, by the hour of 5:00 p.m., on the preceding day which is not a 
Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal holiday, requesting that one or more Acts, bills, resolves or 
resolutions, or part or parts thereof, passed by the Legislature but not then in effect by 
reason of the provisions of the preceding section, be referred to the people, such Acts, bills, 
resolves, or resolutions or part or parts thereof as are specified in such petition shall not 
take effect until 30 days after the Governor shall have announced by public proclamation 
that the same have been ratified by a majority of the electors voting thereon at a statewide 
or general election.
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 signatures shall not be less than 10% 25% of the total vote for Governor cast in 
the last gubernatorial election preceding the filing of such petition.  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. 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 60 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.
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 increase the number 
of signatures required on petitions for the people's veto and the direct 
initiative of legislation from 10% to 25% of the total vote for Governor 
cast in the last gubernatorial election preceding the filing of the petitions?"
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 to amend the Constitution of Maine to increase the number of 
signatures required on petitions for the people's veto and the direct initiative of legislation 
from 10% to 25% of the total vote for Governor cast in the last gubernatorial election 
preceding the filing of the petitions.