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Maine Question 12, Alter the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Measure (1987)

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Maine Question 12

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Election date

November 3, 1987

Topic
Firearms policy
Status

ApprovedApproved

Type
Legislatively referred constitutional amendment
Origin

State legislature



Maine Question 12 was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in Maine on November 3, 1987. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported amending the constitution to remove "for the common defense" from Section 16, so it reads: "Every citizen has a right to keep and bear arms and this right shall never be questioned."

A "no" vote opposed amending the constitution to remove "for the common defense," maintaining Section 16 so it reads: "Every citizen has a right to keep and bear arms for the common defense, and this right shall never be questioned."


Election results

Maine Question 12

Result Votes Percentage

Approved Yes

215,370 57.57%
No 158,753 42.43%
Results are officially certified.
Source


Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Question 12 was as follows:

Shall the Constitution of Maine be amended to clarify the rights of citizens to keep and bear arms?

Full Text

The full text of this measure is available here.


Path to the ballot

In Maine, voter approval is required for state bond issues that exceed $2 million, with exceptions to bonds for the purpose of suppressing insurrection, repelling invasion, or for purposes of war, as well as for temporary loans paid out of money raised by taxation during the fiscal year which they are made, or for loans to be paid within 12 months with federal transportation funds.

A two thirds majority (66.67%) vote is required during one legislative session for the Maine State Legislature to place a bond issue on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 101 votes in the Maine House of Representatives and 24 votes in the Maine State Senate, assuming no vacancies. State bond issues require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

See also


External links

Footnotes