LD 59
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LD 59 Title Page RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Increase the... Page 2 of 2
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LR 109
Item 1

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

 
Constitution, Art. IV, Part Third, §18, sub-§2 is amended to read:

 
2. Referral to electors unless enacted by the Legislature
without change; number of signatures necessary on direct
initiative petitions; dating signatures on petitions; competing
measures. For any measure thus proposed by electors, the number
of signatures shall not be less than 10% 15% of the total vote
for Governor cast in the last gubernatorial election preceding
the filing of such petition. The date each signature was made
shall be written next to the signature on the petition, and no
signature older than one year from the written date on the
petition shall be valid. The measure thus proposed, unless
enacted without change by the Legislature at the session at which
it is presented, shall be submitted to the electors together with
any amended form, substitute, or recommendation of the
Legislature, and in such manner that the people can choose
between the competing measures or reject both. When there are
competing bills and neither receives a majority of the votes
given for or against both, the one receiving the most votes shall
at the next statewide election to be held not less than 60 days
after the first vote thereon be submitted by itself if it
receives more than 1/3 of the votes given for and against both.
If the measure initiated is enacted by the Legislature without
change, it shall not go to a referendum vote unless in pursuance
of a demand made in accordance with the preceding section. The
Legislature may order a special election on any measure that is
subject to a vote of the people.

 
; 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 increase
the number of signatures required on direct initiative
petitions from 10% to 15% of the total vote for Governor
cast in the gubernatorial election?"


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