Resolved: Two thirds of each branch of the
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 0452
Sponsors: BALDACCI

Legislative Document
No. 452
S.P. 185
In Senate, February 11, 2025
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine to Provide for the Popular Election of the Secretary of State 
and the Attorney General by Ranked-choice Voting
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on February 5, 2025.  Referred to the Committee 
on State and Local Government pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator BALDACCI of Penobscot.
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. V, Pt. Second, §1 is amended to read:
Section 1.  Election.  The Secretary of State shall be chosen biennially at the first 
session of the Legislature, by joint ballot of the popular election on the same date and in 
the same manner as provided by this Constitution for the election of Senators and 
Representatives in convention, except that the votes of all qualified electors must involve 
in any election involving 3 or more candidates the ranking of candidates in order of 
preference according to the procedure established by law and the tabulation of such votes 
must occur in rounds according to the procedure established by law.  The Governor shall 
examine the tabulation and, 7 days before the first Wednesday of December biennially, 
shall issue a summons to such person as appears to be elected by a majority of all votes 
returned or, if the electors rank candidates in order of preference, a majority of all votes in 
the final round of tabulation, to take office.
Constitution, Art. V, Pt. Second, §1-A is amended to read:
Section 1-A.  Succession to the office of Secretary of State.  If a vacancy occurs 
in the office of the Secretary of State, the first deputy secretary of state shall act as the 
Secretary of State until a Secretary of State is elected by the Legislature during the current 
session if in session, or at the next regular or special session popular election.  A vacancy 
in the office of the Secretary of State must be filled by a new popular election.
Constitution, Art. IX, §11 is amended to read:
Section 11.  Attorney General.  The Attorney General shall be chosen biennially 
by joint ballot of the popular election on the same date and in the same manner as provided 
by this Constitution for the election of Senators and Representatives in convention, except 
that the votes of all qualified electors must involve in any election involving 3 or more 
candidates the ranking of candidates in order of preference according to the procedure 
established by law and the tabulation of such votes must occur in rounds according to the 
procedure established by law.  The Governor shall examine the tabulation and, 7 days 
before the first Wednesday of December biennially, shall issue a summons to such person 
as appears to be elected by a majority of all votes returned or, if the electors rank candidates 
in order of preference, a majority of all votes in the final round of tabulation, to take office.  
Vacancy in said office occurring when the Legislature is not in session, may be filled by 
appointment by the Governor, subject to confirmation as required by this Constitution for 
Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court.
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 provide that the 
Secretary of State and Attorney General be elected by the people biennially 
in the same manner as members of the Senate and the House of 
Representatives?"
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 that provides for the popular 
election of and to apply ranked-choice voting to elections for the offices of Secretary of 
State and Attorney General.