Resolved: Two thirds of each branch of the
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 0455
Sponsors: BENNETT, FARRIN

Legislative Document
No. 455
S.P. 188
In Senate, February 11, 2025
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine to Require a Statewide Popular Election of the Secretary of 
State, the Treasurer of State and the Attorney General for 4-year 
Terms
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 BENNETT of Oxford.
Cosponsored by Senator FARRIN of Somerset and
Senators: BRADSTREET of Kennebec, HICKMAN of Kennebec, TIMBERLAKE of 
Androscoggin, Representative: SUPICA of Bangor.
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 Senators and Representatives in convention, 
except that beginning in 2032 and every 4 years thereafter the Secretary of State must be 
chosen by popular election on the same date and in the same manner as provided by this 
Constitution for the election of Senators and Representatives.
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, except that beginning in 2032 
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 popular election as 
provided in section 1. 
Constitution, Art. V, Pt. Third, §1 is amended to read:
Section 1.  Election.  The Treasurer shall be chosen biennially, at the first session of 
the Legislature, by joint ballot of the Senators, and Representatives in convention, except 
that beginning in 2032 and every 4 years thereafter the Treasurer must be chosen by popular 
election on the same date and in the same manner as provided by this Constitution for the 
election of Senators and Representatives.
Constitution, Art. V, Pt. Third, §1-A is amended to read:
Section 1-A.  Succession to the office of Treasurer.  If a vacancy occurs in the 
office of Treasurer of State, the deputy treasurer of state shall act as the Treasurer of State 
until a Treasurer of State is elected by the Legislature during the current session if in 
session, or at the next regular or special session, except that beginning in 2032 if a vacancy 
occurs in the office of Treasurer of State, the deputy treasurer of state shall act as the 
Treasurer of State until a Treasurer of State is elected by popular election as provided in 
section 1.
Constitution, Art. IX, §11 is amended to read:
Section 11.  Attorney General.  The Except as otherwise provided in this section, 
the Attorney General shall be chosen biennially by joint ballot of the Senators and 
Representatives in convention.  Vacancy and 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.  
Beginning in 2032 and every 4 years thereafter, the Attorney General must be chosen by 
popular election on the same date and in the same manner as provided by this Constitution 
for the election of Senators and Representatives and vacancy in said office 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 
beginning in 2032 the Secretary of State, the Treasurer of State and the 
Attorney General be elected by the people every 4 years on the same date 
and in the same manner as members of the Senate and 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 beginning in 2032 and every 4 years thereafter of the Secretary of State, the 
Treasurer of State and the Attorney General on the same date and in the manner currently 
provided for the election of members of the Senate and House of Representatives.