Resolve, Directing the Secretary of State To Request That the United States Secretary of Transportation Place Maine in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone

Preamble. Whereas,  pursuant to an order of the United States Secretary of Transportation, the State of Maine is in the Eastern Standard Time zone; and

Whereas,  there would be many benefits to the State of Maine if the State were placed in the Atlantic Standard Time zone, including more daylight in the afternoon, increased economic opportunities and less energy consumption; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Secretary of State to request that United States Secretary of Transportation place Maine in Atlantic Standard Time zone. Resolved: That the Secretary of State shall request that the United States Secretary of Transportation place the State in the Atlantic Standard Time zone; and be it further

Sec. 2. Statutory referendum procedure; submission at election; form of question; effective date. Resolved: That this resolve must be submitted to the legal voters of the State at a statewide election held in the month of November following passage of this resolve. 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, to vote on the acceptance or rejection of this resolve by voting on the following question:

"Do you favor placing Maine in the Atlantic Standard Time zone?"

The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on this question and designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within a 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. If a majority of the legal votes are cast in favor of this resolve, the Governor shall proclaim the result without delay and this resolve becomes effective 30 days after the date of the proclamation.

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

summary

This resolve directs the Secretary of State to request that the United States Secretary of Transportation place Maine in the Atlantic Standard Time zone. This resolve is subject to approval by the voters at referendum.