List of amendments to the Maine Constitution

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If 2/3rds of both houses of the Maine State Legislature vote to do so, a proposed constitutional amendment to the Maine Constitution can be placed on the statewide ballot. If a proposed amendment is approved by a simple majority of those voting in a particular election, it becomes part of the constitution.

Through 2006, the Maine Constitution has been amended 171 times. Records compiled by the Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library provide a list of proposed amendments beginning in 1911; however, the constitution was amended 39 times prior to 1911. [1]

1911-1919

Note: The left-most column refers to the number of the relevant, approved, constitutional amendment. This numbering system is based on references found in "The Constitutionalism of the American States" by Kenneth Palmer and Jonathan Thomas, University of Missouri Press, 2008, which gives a number for some of the amendments. The other constitutional amendments in this list were numbered by counting backward or forward from that numbering system.[1]

Number Year Description In favor Opposed Outcome
1911 Abrogate the 26th Amendment relating to the manufacturing and sale of intoxicating liquor 60,095 60,853 Defeated
40 1911 Declare Augusta the seat of state government 59,678 41,294 Approved
41 1911 Increase municipal debt limit of towns over 40,000 population to 7.5% 39,242 38,712 Approved
42 1912 State bond issue for building and maintaining highways 80,619 21,454 Approved
43 1913 Classify property for purposes of taxation 18,060 8,157 Approved
44 1913 Relating to constitutional amendments 16,746 6,741 Approved
1917 Suffrage for women 20,604 38,838 Defeated
45 1917 How to remove sheriffs from office 29,584 25,416 Approved
1917 Permission for towns to create local polling places 22,588 24,593 Defeated
1917 Relating to the military (state militia) 20,585 23,912 Defeated
46 1917 Apportionment of representatives in mergers of towns and cities 22,013 21,719 Approved
1919 Relating to the military (state militia) 15,826 11,020 Defeated
47 1919 Permit voter suffrage in town for 3 months after removal 22,024 6,751 Approved
48 1919 Bonds to build wharves and port facilities 22,637 6,777 Approved
49 1919 Increase the state debt limit 21,542 7,080 Approved
50 1919 Increase state bonds for highways and bridges 22,228 5,125 Approved

1920-1929

Number Year Description In favor Opposed Outcome
51 1920 Division of cities and towns into polling places 76,129 29,333 Approved
52 1920 Bonus for soldiers and sailors 105,712 32,820 Approved
1920 Income tax and tax on intangibles 53,975 64,787 Defeated
53 1921 Absentee voting regulated 14,410 11,670 Approved
1921 Bonds for state aid highways 9,924 16,194 Defeated
1921 Bonus for Spanish war soldiers 11,969 15,316 Defeated
54 1925 Bond issue for Kennebec Bridge 54,107 8,228 Approved
55 1925 Bond issue for highways and bridges 49,821 10,332 Approved
1926 Prohibit use of public funds for other than public institutions and public purposes 65,349 94,148 Defeated
56 1929 How to fill council vacancies 62,108 32,622 Approved
57 1929 Bond issue for Waldo-Hancock Bridge 58,107 43,919 Approved
1929 Increase state bonds for highways and bridges 58,666 64,553 Defeated

1930-1939

Number Year Description In favor Opposed Outcome
58 1931 Number of senators apportioned 9,709 8,972 Approved
1933 Voting machines 57,230 65,553 Defeated
1933 Raise state debt limit, exempt state loans for emergency relief from debt limit 47,678 81,023 Defeated
59 1934 Repeal 26th amendment (Prohibition) 161,893 85,363 Approved
60 1934 Increase state debt limit 117,046 91,515 Approved
61 1934 Bond issue for the construction and improvement of state buildings 123,843 79,906 Approved
62 1935 Length of residence to qualify as voter 23,269 5,540 Approved
63 1935 Increase state bond issue to match federal aid for highways 19,074 9,915 Approved
64 1935 Voting machines authorized 17,855 10,996 Approved
65 1935 Bond issue for the Deer Isle-Sedgwick Bridge 21,383 8,375 Approved
66 1938 Six month residence to qualify as voter 125,996 79,342 Approved
1939 To increase state highway bonds 16,500 21,265 Defeated

1940-1949

Number Year Description In favor Opposed Outcome
67 1944 No diversion of highway funds 139,805 33,172 Approved
1946 Bond issue and tax measure to pay soldiers bonus 59,725 108,467 Defeated
68 1948 Additional signatures for referendum petitions 68,237 65,698 Approved
69 1948 Traveling expenses of legislators 77,716 62,236 Approved

1950-1959

Number Year Description In favor Opposed Outcome
70 1951 Make State Treasurer eligible for a second term 27,073 22,320 Approved
71 1951 Direct initiative petition to be signed by at least 10 per cent of gubernatorial vote 23,600 21,986 Approved
1951 Increase municipal debt limit from 5 to 7.5% 21,478 26,232 Defeated
72 1951 Make legislative measures inoperative unless revenue is provided 24,746 20,900 Approved
73 1951 Exempt obligations to Maine School Building Authority from municipal debt limit 23,887 20,594 Approved
74 1951 Absentee voting 39,006 10,187 Approved
1951 Bond issue for state office building 16,107 31,639 Defeated
75 1951 Clarify state borrowing power 28,758 17,582 Approved
76 1954 Increase municipal debt limit from 5 to 7 1/2 per cent 111,726 80,402 Approved
77 1954 Permit Indians to vote 155,528 41,688 Approved
78 1955 Extend pardon power of Governor and Council to juvenile delinquency offenses 22,658 7,562 Approved
79 1955 Change qualifications for citizenship of Governor 15,157 14,452 Approved
80 1955 Exempt Maine School Building Authority from municipal debt limit 19,378 9,327 Approved
81 1955 Clarify voting by persons in military service 25,347 4,664 Approved
82 1957 Bond issue of $20,000,000 for guaranteed loans for industrial purposes 66,427 30,750 Approved
83 1957 Change date of general election from September to November 63,820 36,202 Approved
84 1957 Four year term for Governor 60,240 41,392 Approved

1960-1969

Number Year Description In favor Opposed Outcome
85 1960 Continuity of government in case of enemy attack 343,333 24,829 Approved
1961 October vote on 2 amendments declared null and void. See under 1962
86 1962 Maine State Retirement System funds to be maintained in trust and not diverted 187,799 43,286 Approved
87 1962 Municipal voters to authorize bond issues for building or industrial use 147,477 74,928 Approved
88 1963 Election, powers and reapportionment of the House of Representatives 44,556 23,035 Approved
89 1963 Forbid discrimination against any person 49,966 19,294 Approved
90 1964 Eliminate requirement that Governor communicate pardons to Legislature 149,582 98,581 Approved
91 1964 Oaths of Senators and Representatives in absence of Governor and Council 179,451 65,193 Approved
92 1964 Examination of election returns for senators and filling of Senate vacancies 190,949 49,339 Approved
93 1964 Eliminate certain requirements regarding public money 131,407 102,809 Approved
94 1964 Revise Article VI relating to judicial power 143,614 79,095 Approved
95 1964 Authority of Governor as commander in chief 147,984 83,335 Approved
96 1964 Procedure for determining election of Governor 156,407 74,441 Approved
97 1964 President of Senate or Speaker of House assuming Office of Governor 171,113 59,170 Approved
98 1964 Additional $20,000,000 for guaranteed loans for industrial purposes 164,855 69,658 Approved
99 1964 Clarify procedure relating to election returns 178,614 52,836 Approved
100 1965 Eliminate voting restrictions on paupers 28,233 18,630 Approved
101 1965 State's credit for guaranteed loans on personal property for industrial purposes 31,685 14,632 Approved
102 1966 Apportionment, election and powers of Senate 157,773 91,618 Approved
103 1967 Time for codifying Constitution 46,649 29,798 Approved
104 1967 State's credit for bonds not exceeding one million for loans to Maine students in higher education 57,583 24,018 Approved
105 1967 Mortgage loan insurance for recreational projects increase from 10 to 17 million 40,619 38,454 Approved
106 1967 Repeal offices of judges and registers of probate as constitutional officers 41,850 34,454 Approved
107 1967 Temporary loans in anticipation of state tax revenue 45,086 31,930 Approved
108 1967 Industrial loans to fisheries and agriculture insured 49,886 38,365 Approved
109 1968 Increase to $80,000,000 the limit of legislature's authority to insure payment of loans 240,983 89,015 Approved
1969 State's credit for bonds up to 25 million to private colleges 55,770 79,051 Defeated
110 1969 Odd-numbered Senate, 31-35 members 76,330 57,950 Approved
111 1969 Municipal home rule 76,405 56,209 Approved
112 1969 State's credit pledged for loans of Maine School Building Authority 70,639 64,594 Approved

1970-1979

# Year Description In favor Opposed Outcome
113 1970 Reduce voting age to 20 years 167,660 117,668 Approved
114 1970 Valuation of certain lands at current value 168,390 99,316 Approved
115 1970 Convening of special sessions by the Legislature 157,903 110,047 Approved
116 1971 Reduce voting age to 18 144,949 99,274 Approved
117 1971 Governor's term to continue until successor has qualified 170,851 67,875 Approved
118 1971 State's credit for loans to Maine college students 139,984 97,430 Approved
119 1972 State's credit for loans for housing for Indians 268,969 104,521 Approved
120 1972 State's credit for loans to resident Maine veterans 292,405 81,629 Approved
1972 Reduce age of member of House to 20 years 179,557 194,166 Defeated
121 1973 Regulation of municipal borrowing by Legislature 122,555 100,984 Approved
122 1973 Status of bills presented to Governor and time Legislature adjourns 153,639 68,446 Approved
123 1974 Eliminate 3-mo. residence requirement within state 217,445 110,588 Approved
124 1974 Appointment of Justices of Peace and Notaries Public to initial term by Gov. & Council, thereafter by renewal of commission 214,353 96,554 Approved
125 1974 Clarify validity of municipal industrial parks 239,953 71,644 Approved
126 1975 Establish single-member districts, Apportionment Commission 94,773 45,307 Approved
127 1975 Clarify initiative and referendum petition procedures 105,073 32,995 Approved
128 1975 Provide for inability of Governor to discharge powers and duties 112,171 31,647 Approved
129 1975 Abolish Executive Council 94,702 47,513 Approved
130 1975 Provide for annual sessions of Legislature 91,582 47,877 Approved
131 1976 Allow Governor 10 days to act on legislation 332,174 98,043 Approved
132 1976 Allow judges to hold office up to 6 mos. till successors appointed 331,802 105,278 Approved
133 1976 Increase bond limit on vet mortgage loans from $2,000,000 to $4,000,000; decrease bond limit of Maine School Building Authority from $25,000,000 to 10,000,000 247,499 170,083 Approved
134 1976 Prohibit bonding of current expenditures, assure revenue for bond service 242,299 149,571 Approved
135 1978 Eliminate the office of Justice of the Peace as a Constitutional office 179,146 141,527 Approved
136 1978 Repeal provisions relating to the poll tax & payment in lieu of military duty 185,997 124,650 Approved
137 1978 Reduce & combine the guarantee limits for insurance of enterprises 204,747 95,546 Approved
138 1978 Require the Legislature to convene in December after the general election 165,262 153,409 Approved
139 1978 Reimburse municipalities for losses caused by property tax exemptions & credits 213,417 100,488 Approved
140 1978 Provide that taxes may be assessed in cost- sharing formula agreeable to communities involved 212,063 97,764 Approved
1979 Remove the literacy requirement for eligibility to vote 84,971 170,267 Defeated

1980-1989

# Year Description In favor Opposed Outcome
141 1980 Bring into conformance the year in which the House and Senate shall be apportioned 298,113 144,976 Approved
142 1980 Change the referendum provisions so that the direct initiative and people's veto elections can be held at the same time as a scheduled statewide election 364,629 96,099 Approved
143 1980 Allow either the constitution or statutes to determine the manner of selection of judges of probate and justices of the peace 288,116 156,880 Approved
144 1981 Change the initiative provisions to require that all signatures be dated and validity be limited to one year 141,975 77,170 Approved
145 1981 Candidates for and members of the House of Representatives must reside in the district they represent 193,862 37,257 Approved
146 1981 Decrease the bonding limit of the Maine School Building Authority from $10,000,000 to $6,000,000 143,962 80,300 Approved
147 1982 Limit the life of bond authorizations 241,838 152,727 Approved
148 1982 Authorize the credit of the state to be loaned to secure funds for loans to parents of Maine students attending institutions of higher education 257,040 162,696 Approved
1983 Allow state to create a property tax exemption for watercraft without being required to reimburse municipalities for 50% of the property tax revenue loss 133,605 151,499 Defeated
149 1983 Expanding any principal amount of the Mining Excise Tax Trust Fund requires two-thirds vote of the Legislature 179,082 96,370 Approved
150 1983 Change municipal property tax loss reimbursement provisions and penalty payable upon the change of use of land containing minerals 140,680 125,309 Approved
151 1984 To limit the life of bonds authorized but not issued 309,717 175,127 Approved
1984 Resolution of the Legislature to provide for an equal rights amendment 195,653 333,998 Defeated
152 1984 Allow the Legislature to set the limit for guaranteed business loans to Maine Veterans 296,299 206,760 Approved
153 1984 No watercraft will be taxed as personal property, provided there is an excise tax on some watercraft collected and used by municipalities 336,848 169,286 Approved
1985 Members of Legislature can be appointed to civil office as long as they resign from the Legislature upon confirmation 92,262 92,824 Defeated
154 1985 Extend the tenure for sheriffs from 2 years to 4 years 110,080 80,141 Approved
155 1986 Improve the efficiency of the apportioning commission and specify how the commission should operate 250,609 130,410 Approved
156 1987 Clarify the rights of citizens to keep and bear arms 216,013 159,226 Approved
157 1987 Candidates for state legislature must reside in the district the candidate seeks to represent at the time he is nominated 300,932 73,316 Approved
158 1988 Remove gender biased language from Maine Constitution 292,335 232,456 Approved
1989 Insure the payment of mortgage loans for affordable housing for Maine citizens, not to exceed $25,000,000 in the aggregate 112,090 115,232 Defeated

1990-1999

# Year Description In favor Opposed Outcome
1990 State government guarantee repayment of housing loans to stimulate housing market 236,348 250,346 Defeated
159 1991 Funds appropriated to the Maine State Retirement System may not be diverted to another purpose 262,113 111,705 Approved
160 1992 Treasurer of State Amendment 396,409 219,822 Approved
161 1992 Inland Fisheries Revenue Amendment 467,672 164,759 Approved
162 1992 Funded Mandates Amendment 327,249 278,518 Approved
163 1993 State Park Amendment 169,485 63,056 Approved
164 1995 Retirement System Amendment 274,786 123,208 Approved
165 1995 Line-Item Veto Amendment 286,929 115,216 Approved
166 1996 Signature Certification on Initiative Petitions 367,994 187,428 Approved
1997 Repeal Mental Illness Provision 141,654 196,662 Defeated
167 1999 Election Timing of People's Veto 285,174 114,640 Approved
168 1999 Property Taxes on Historically Significant Property 221,997 185,121 Approved

2000-2009

# Year Description In favor Opposed Outcome
2000 Commercial Fishing Property Tax Amendment 301,931 305,554 Defeated
2000 Repeal of Mental Illness Voting Restrictions Amendment 250,729 379,964 Defeated
169 2002 Short-Term Debt for Highway Construction Amendment 262,900 212,940 Approved
170 2005 Commercial Fishing Amendment 276,116 109,508 Approved
171 2006 Initiative Petition Deadlines Amendment 270,922 229,749 Approved

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Constitutionalism of the American States, Kenneth Palmer and Jonathan Thomas, University of Missouri Press, 2008, p. 27
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Proposed amendments to the Maine Constitution
Laws

Maine Legislature • Maine Senate • Maine House of Representatives • Maine Constitution • All Maine ballot measures

2000-2009

Commercial Fishing ('00) • Voting Restrictions/Mentally Ill ('00)) • Highway Construction Short-Term Debt ('02) • Commercial Fishing ('05) • Initiative Petition Deadlines ('06)

1990-1999

Housing Guarantees ('90) • Retirement Fund ('91) • Housing Loan Repayment ('91)) • State Treasurer ('92) • Inland Fisheries ('92) • Funded Mandates ('92) • State Parks ('93) • Retirement System ('95) • Line-Item Veto ('95) • Signature Certification ('96) • Mentally Ill Voting Rights ('97) • People's Veto Election Timing ('99) • Historically Significant Properties ('99)

1980-1989

Legislative Re-districting ('80) • Initiative Elections ('80) • Selecting Justices of the Peace ('80) • Petition Signature Deadlines ('81) • Legislature Residency ('81) • School Bonds ('81) • Life Limits/Bonds ('82) • Higher Ed Loans ('82) • Property Taxes on Watercraft ('83) • Excise Tax Trust ('83) • Mineral-Bearing Lands ('83) • Un-Issued Bonds ('84) • Equal Rights Amendment ('84) • Veteran Loans ('84) • Watercraft Excise Tax ('84) • Legislators in Civil Office ('85) • Tenure of Sheriffs ('85) • Re-Districting ('86) • Right to Bear Arms ('87) • Legislature Residency ('87) • Gender-Biased Language('88) • Mortgage Guarantees ('89)

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