Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1604
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
Sponsors: BENNETT, BRAKEY, HICKMAN

Legislative Document
No. 1604
S.P. 636
In Senate, April 11, 2023
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine to Extend the Time That a Signature on a Petition for a 
Direct Initiative of Legislation Is Valid
Reference to the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator BENNETT of Oxford.
Cosponsored by Senators: BRAKEY of Androscoggin, HICKMAN of Kennebec.
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 signatures shall not be less than 10% 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 18 months 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 extend from one 
year to 18 months the period of time that signatures are valid on a petition 
for a direct initiative of legislation?"
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 extend from one year 
to 18 months the period of time that signatures are valid on a petition for a direct initiative 
of legislation.