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Signature requirements for ballot measures in Maine
This page provides an overview of signature requirements for statewide citizen-initiated measures in Maine. In Maine, citizens can initiate indirect state statutes and veto referendums.
Requirements
In Maine, the number of signatures needed to place a measure on the ballot is based on the total number of votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial election prior to the filing of such petition.
The following are the requirements for the types of citizen-initiated measures in Maine:
- indirect initiated state statute (ISS): 10% of the votes cast for governor
- veto referendum (VR): 10% of the votes cast for governor
If there is a gubernatorial election after sponsors are cleared for circulation but before they submit their petition, the number of required signatures is determined by the election that occurs after they are cleared for circulation.[1]
The chart below shows election years and the signature requirement for initiatives intended to appear on the ballot in that year, with gubernatorial election years bolded.
| Year | Initiative | Referendum |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 67,682 | 67,682 |
| 2025 | 67,682 | 67,682 |
| 2024 | 67,682 | 67,682 |
| 2023 | 67,682 | 67,682 |
| 2022 | 63,067 | 63,067 |
| 2021 | 63,067 | 63,067 |
| 2020 | 63,067 | 63,067 |
| 2019 | 63,067 | 63,067 |
| 2018 | 61,123 | 61,123 |
| 2017 | 61,123 | 61,123 |
| 2016 | 61,123 | 61,123 |
| 2015 | 61,123 | 61,123 |
| 2014 | 57,277 | 57,277 |
| 2013 | 57,277 | 57,277 |
| 2012 | 57,277 | 57,277 |
| 2011 | 57,277 | 57,277 |
| 2010 | 55,087 | 55,087 |
| 2009 | 55,087 | 55,087 |
| 2008 | 55,087 | 55,087 |
| 2007 | 55,087 | 55,087 |
See law: Maine Constitution, Article IV, Part 3, Section 18
Changes in number of signatures
The following graph illustrates the number of signatures required for citizen-initiated measures (10 percent of the gubernatorial vote) from 2007 through 2026.
Basis for calculation
In Maine, the number of signatures needed to place a measure on the ballot is equal to 10 percent of the total number of votes cast for the governor in the preceding election. The following numbers of votes were cast for the office of governor in each year listed:
| Year | Votes cast for governor |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 676,819 |
| 2018 | 630,667 |
| 2014 | 611,255 |
| 2010 | 572,766 |
| 2006 | 550,870 |
Signature deadlines
In Maine, citizen-initiated ballot measures can appear on even-numbered year and odd-numbered year ballots. Proponents are allowed to gather signatures for initiatives for 18 months after petitions are cleared to circulate. Signatures dated more than one year are considered invalid.
The deadline for submitting signatures to get an initiative on the ballot for a particular general election is within 25 or 50 days after the convening of a legislative session, depending on the year.
- For initiatives intended for the election in November of an odd-numbered year, signatures must be submitted within 50 days after the convening of the state legislature's first legislative session.
- For initiatives intended for the election in November of an even-numbered year, signatures must be submitted within 25 days after the convening of the state legislature's second legislative session.
Proponents are allowed to gather signatures for veto referendums for 90 days after the adjournment of the legislative session at which the targeted law was passed.
| Year | Deadline for initiated statutes |
|---|---|
| 2025 | January 23, 2025 |
| 2024 | January 29, 2024 |
| 2023 | January 26, 2023 |
| 2022 | January 30, 2022 |
| 2021 | January 21, 2021 |
| 2020 | February 2, 2020 |
| 2019 | January 24, 2019 |
| 2018 | January 29, 2018 |
| 2017 | January 26, 2017 |
| 2016 | February 1, 2016 |
| 2015 | January 22, 2015 |
| 2014 | February 3, 2014 |
| 2013 | January 24, 2013 |
| 2012 | January 30, 2012 |
| 2011 | January 20, 2011 |
| 2010 | February 1, 2010 |
See also
- Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Maine
- Laws governing the initiative process in Maine
- States where signature requirements are based on votes cast for governor
- Election result resources
- Voter guides
- State Blue Books
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Ballotpedia staff writer, "Conversation with Maine Elections Department," January 24, 2022
