Maine Create a Publicly Funded Healthcare System Initiative (2026)
| Maine Create a Publicly Funded Healthcare System Initiative | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 3, 2026 | |
| Topic Healthcare governance and State legislative authority | |
| Status Cleared for signature gathering | |
| Type State statute | Origin Citizens |
The Maine Create a Publicly Funded Healthcare System Initiative may be on the ballot in Maine as an indirect initiated state statute on November 3, 2026.
The initiative would direct the state legislature to create a publicly funded health care system.[1] The system would need to provide all medically necessary services to all residents of the state, contain mechanisms that would lower healthcare costs, protect the freedom of the people to choose their healthcare providers, and provide prevailing rate payments to providers, among other requirements.[1] The initiative would not create such a healthcare system; it would only direct the joint standing committee of the Maine State Legislature to do so.
Text of measure
Full text
The full text of the initiative can be read here.
Path to the ballot
Process in Maine
- See also: Laws governing ballot measures in Maine
An indirect initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are nine (9) states that allow citizens to initiate indirect state statutes.
While a direct initiative is placed on the ballot once supporters file the required number of valid signatures, an indirect initiative is first presented to the state legislature. Legislators have a certain number of days, depending on the state, to adopt the initiative into law. Should legislators take no action or reject the initiative, the initiative is put on the ballot for voters to decide.
In Maine, the number of signatures required for an indirect initiated state statute is equal to 10% of the total votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial election prior to the filing of such petition. As an indirect process, the Legislature has until the end of the legislative session to approve the initiative after signatures are certified. If the legislature approves the initiative and the governor approves it, the measure becomes law. If the legislature does not approve the initiative, or if the governor vetoes the measure, it goes to voters for approval. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
The requirements to get an initiated state statute certified for the 2026 ballot:
- Signatures: 67,682 valid signatures were required.
- Deadline: The deadline to submit signatures must be submitted within 25 days after the convening of the state legislature's second legislative session.
Stage of this ballot initiative
Below is a timeline of the initiative:[2]
- October 24, 2025: Grayson Lookner submitted the initiative, and it was approved to begin gathering signatures.
External links
See also
View other measures certified for the 2026 ballot across the U.S. and in Maine.
Explore Maine's ballot measure history, including
Understand how measures are placed on the ballot and the rules that apply.
Footnotes
