LD 461
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LD 461 Title Page RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Reduce the S... Page 2 of 3
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LR 25
Item 1

 
Constitutional amendment. Resolved: Two thirds of each branch of the
Legislature concurring, that the following amendments to the
Constitution of Maine be proposed:

 
Constitution, Art. IV, Part First, §2 is amended to read:

 
Section 2. Number of Representatives; biennial terms;
division of the State into districts for House of
Representatives. The House of Representatives shall consist of
151 members, except that, for the Legislature that convenes in
2007 and thereafter, the House of Representatives shall consist
of 99 members, to be elected by the qualified electors, and hold
their office 2 years from the day next preceding the first
Wednesday in December following the general election. The
Legislature which convenes in 1983 2005 and every 10th year
thereafter shall cause the State to be divided into districts for
the choice of one Representative for each district, using the
same method as provided in Article IV, Part Second, Section 2 for
apportionment of Senatorial Districts, except that each
Senatorial District must be divided into 3 Representative
Districts. The number of Representatives shall be divided into
the number of inhabitants of the State exclusive of foreigners
not naturalized according to the latest Federal Decennial Census
or a State Census previously ordered by the Legislature to
coincide with the Federal Decennial Census, to determine a mean
population figure for each Representative District. Each
Representative District shall be formed of contiguous and compact
territory and shall cross political subdivision lines the least
number of times necessary to establish as nearly as practicable
equally populated districts. Whenever the population of a
municipality entitles it to more than one district, all whole
districts shall be drawn within municipal boundaries. Any
population remainder within the municipality shall be included in
a district with contiguous territory and shall be kept intact.

 
Constitution, Art. IV, Part Second, §1 is amended to read:

 
Section 1. Number of Senators. The Senate shall consist of
an odd number of Senators, not less than 31 nor more than 35,
except that, for the Legislature that convenes in 2007 and
thereafter, the Senate shall consist of 33 members, elected at
the same time and for the same term as Representatives by the
qualified electors of the districts into which the State shall be
from time to time divided.

 
Constitution, Art. IV, Part Second, §2, first ¶ is amended to read:

 
Section 2. Submission of reapportionment plan to Secretary of
Senate; Legislature's action on commission's plan; division of


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