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Maine Obscene Material Prohibition Initiative (1986)
| Maine Obscene Material Prohibition Initiative | |
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| Election date |
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| Topic Initiative and referendum process and Sexual content regulations |
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| Type Initiative |
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Maine Obscene Material Prohibition Initiative was on the ballot as an initiative in Maine on June 10, 1986. It was defeated.
A "yes" vote supported criminalizing making, seling, giving for value, or otherwise promoting obscene material, as defined, in Maine. |
A "no" vote opposed criminalizing making, seling, giving for value, or otherwise promoting obscene material, as defined, in Maine. |
Election results
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Maine Obscene Material Prohibition Initiative |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 81,970 | 28.12% | ||
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209,537 | 71.88% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Obscene Material Prohibition Initiative was as follows:
| “ | Do you want to make it a crime to make, sell, give for value, or otherwise promote obscene material in Maine? | ” |
Path to the ballot
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.
See also
External links
Footnotes
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State of Maine Augusta (capital) |
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