Maine Question 4, Direct Primary Initiative (September 1911)
| Maine Question 4 | |
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| Election date |
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| Topic Primary election systems |
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| Status |
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| Type Initiated state statute |
Origin |
Maine Question 4 was on the ballot as an initiated state statute in Maine on September 11, 1911. It was approved.
A "yes" vote supported providing that the nomination of candidates for any state or county office would be made at and by primary elections. |
A "no" vote opposed providing that the nomination of candidates for any state or county office would be made at and by primary elections. |
Election results
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Maine Question 4 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
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65,810 | 75.14% | ||
| No | 21,774 | 24.86% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Question 4 was as follows:
| “ | An act to provide for nomination of candidates of political parties by primary elections," whereby "all nominations of candidates for any State or County office, including United States Senator, Member of Congress and Member of State Legislature, shall hereafter be made at and by primary elections held in accordance with the provisions of this act. | ” |
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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