LD 575
pg. 2
Page 1 of 2 RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Allow Maine ... LD 575 Title Page
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LR 2290
Item 1

 
the Governor's objections.__If passed over the Governor's
objections, the amendment to the Constitution takes effect
immediately.

 
; and be it
further

 
Constitutional referendum procedure; form of question; effective date. Resolved:
That the municipal officers of this State shall notify the
inhabitants of their respective cities, towns and plantations to
meet, in the manner prescribed by law for holding a statewide
election, at a statewide election, on the Tuesday following the
first Monday of November following the passage of this
resolution, to vote upon the ratification of the amendment
proposed in this resolution by voting upon the following
question:

 
"Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to allow
Maine citizens to initiate amendments to the Constitution of
Maine?"

 
The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote
by ballot on this question, and shall designate their choice by a
cross or check mark placed within the corresponding square below
the word "Yes" or "No." The ballots must be received, sorted,
counted and declared in open ward, town and plantation meetings
and returns made to the Secretary of State in the same manner as
votes for members of the Legislature. The Governor shall review
the returns and, if it appears that a majority of the legal votes
are cast in favor of the amendment, the Governor shall proclaim
that fact without delay and the amendment becomes part of the
Constitution on the date of the proclamation; and be it further

 
Secretary of State shall prepare ballots. Resolved: That the Secretary of
State shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation
all ballots, returns and copies of this resolution necessary to
carry out the purposes of this referendum.

 
SUMMARY

 
This constitutional resolution amends the Constitution of
Maine to permit citizens to initiate amendments to the
Constitution of Maine. A citizen-initiated amendment to the
Constitution requires approval by 2/3 of the voters at a
referendum, ratification by a majority of the Legislature and the
signature of the Governor. The Governor's veto of the amendment
to the Constitution may be overridden by a majority vote in both
Houses.


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