Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 0508
House Amendment HA_A_H640 (House)

HOUSE AMENDMENT" A,. to S.P. 226, L.D. 508, "RESOLUTION, Proposing an 
Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Require Constitutional Officers to Be Elected 
by Popular Election" 
Amend the resolution by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'RESOLUTION, Pt·oposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Require 
a Statewide Popular Election of the Sect·etary of State, the Tre11surer of State and the 
Attorney General Using Ranlted-choice Voting' 
Amend the resolution by striking out all of that part designated "Constitution, Art. 
V, Pt. Second, §1
(page 1, lines 4 to 8 in L.D.) and inse11ing the following: 
1Constitution, Art. V, Pt. Second, §1 is amended to read: 
Section 1. Election. The Secreta1y of State shall be chosen bieanially at the first 
sessien of the Legislatlue, by joint ballet of the populai· election on the same date and in 
the same manner as pmvided by this Constitution for the election of Senators and 
Representatives ia eeRveRtion, except that the votes of all qualified electors must involve 
in any election involving 3 or mol'e candidates the ranking of candidates in order of 
preference according to the procedurn established by law and the tabulation of such votes 
must occur in rounds according to the prncedure 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 rnund of tabulation, to take office. 
Amend the resolution by striking out all of that part designated 
11Constitution, Art. 
V, Pt. Third, §l 11 (page 1, lines t 5 to 19 in L.D,) and inserting the following: 
•constitution, Art. V, Pt. Third, §1 is amended to read: 
Section 1. Election. The Treasmer shall be chosen biennially, at the fo·st sessien of 
the Legislat1:1re, 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 
ia emweatioa. 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 prncedUl'e established by law and the tabulation of such votes must occur in rounds 
Page I - 132LR0721(05) 
HOUSE AMENDMENT 
ROS 
HOUSE AMENDMENT "A "to S.P. 226, L.D. 508 
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 
rnnk candidates in order of preference. a majority of all votes in the final round of 
tabulation, to take office.' 
Amend the resolution by striking out all of that patt designated "Constitution, Art. 
IX, §11
(page 1. lines 26 to 32 in L.D.) and insetting the following: 
'Constitution, Art. IX, §11 is amended to read: 
Section 11. Attorney General. The Attorney General shall be chosen biennially 
by joiat ballot of tl½e popular election on the same date and in the same manne1· as provided 
by this Constitution for the election of Senators and Representatives ia eofl:Yention. except 
that the votes of all qualified electors must involve in any election involving 3 or morn 
candidates the l'anking 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 oeel:lrring when the Legislatl:lre 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 Comt.1 
Amend the resolution in the question in the 3rd line (page 2, line 1 in L.D.) by insetting 
after the following: "manner" the following: i, using ranked-choice voting,' 
Amend the resolution by relettel'ing or renumbering any nonconsecutive Patt letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment requires ranked-choice voting J9-be~ection of the 
Secretary of State, the Treasurer of State and t e-A1torney General. 
SPONSORED BY:--='-------------
(Representative LEE, A,) 
TOWN: Auburn 
HOUSE AMENDMENT