Types of ballot measures in Maine


Types of ballot measures
Initiated
• Initiated constitutional amendment
• Initiated state statute
• Veto referendum
Legislative
• Legislative constitutional amendment
• Legislative state statute
• Legislative bond issue
• Advisory question
Other
• Automatic ballot referral
• Commission-referred measure
• Convention-referred amendment
Select a state from the menu below to learn more about that state's types of ballot measures.

In Maine, statewide ballot measures can be citizen-initiated. The Maine State Legislature can also vote to refer measures to the ballot. This page provides an overview of the different types of ballot measures that can appear on state ballots in Maine.

The types of state ballot measures in Michigan are:

Indirect initiated state statutes
Veto referendums
Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
Legislatively referred state statutes
Legislatively referred bond measures
Constitutional convention questions

Citizen-initiated ballot measures

In Maine, citizens have the power to initiate state statutes and veto referendums. These powers were established with voter approval of a constitutional amendment in 1908.

Indirect initiated state statutes

See also: Indirect initiated state statute

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.

Veto referendums

See also: Veto referendum

A veto referendum is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that asks voters whether to uphold or repeal an enacted law. This type of ballot measure is also called statute referendum, popular referendum, people's veto, or citizen's veto. There are 23 states that allow citizens to initiate veto referendums.

In Maine, the number of signatures required for a veto referendum is equal to 10% of the total votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial election prior to the filing of such petition. Signatures for veto referendums are due 90 days following the final adjournment of the legislative session at which the targeted bill was passed. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

Legislative referrals

Legislatively referred constitutional amendments

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

A two-thirds majority (66.67%) vote is required during one legislative session for the Maine State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment 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. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Legislatively referred state statutes

See also: Legislatively referred state statute

A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Maine State Legislature to place a state statute on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 76 votes in the Maine House of Representatives and 18 votes in the Maine State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Statutes require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Legislatively referred bond measures

See also: Legislatively referred bond measure

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.

Other types of ballot measures

Most ballot measures are placed on the ballot through citizen initiatives or legislative processes. Others are placed on the ballot automatically, by a special commission, or by a state constitutional convention. The following is a list of different types of state ballot measures:

Types of state ballot measures

Citizen-initiated ballot measure

• Initiated constitutional amendment

• Direct initiated constitutional amendment

• Indirect initiated constitutional amendment

• Initiated state statute

• Direct initiated state statute

• Indirect initiated state statute

• Combined initiated constitutional amendment and state statute

• Veto referendum

• Statute affirmation (Nevada)

Legislatively referred ballot measure