LD 562
pg. 1
LD 562 Title Page RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Elect 2 Sena... Page 2 of 3
Download Bill Text
LR 1091
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. II, §4 is amended to read:

 
Section 4. Time of state election; absentee voting. The
election of Senators and Representatives shall be on the
Tuesday following the first Monday of November biennially
forever except as provided in this Section.__Beginning with
the general elections held in 2004, the election of Senators
and the election of Governor shall be on the Tuesday following
the first Monday of November every 4 years, except that the
term of a Senator from an odd-numbered legislative district
remains as a 2-year term until 2006, after which time the
election must be held every 4 years. The Legislature under
proper enactment shall authorize and provide for voting by
citizens of the State absent therefrom in the Armed Forces of
the United States or of this State and for voting by other
citizens absent or physically incapacitated for reasons deemed
sufficient.

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

 
Section 1. Number of Senators. The Senate shall consist of
an odd number of 32 Senators, not less than 31 nor more than
35, elected at the same time and for the same term as
Representatives, except as provided in Article II, Section 4
by the qualified electors of the districts into which the
State shall be from time to time divided.

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

 
Section 2. Submission of reapportionment plan to Secretary
of Senate; Legislature's action on commission's plan; division
of State into Senatorial Districts; division by Supreme
Judicial Court. The Legislature which shall convene in the
year 1983 and every 10th year thereafter 2004 shall cause
reapportion the State to be divided into districts for the
choice of a Senator from each district in order that the
Senate districts coincide with the counties of the State. The
voters of each county shall vote for 2 Senators.

 
The apportionment plan of the commission established under
Article IV, Part Third, Section 1-A shall be submitted to the
Secretary of the Senate no later than 120 calendar days after
the convening of the Legislature in which apportionment is
required. In the preparation of legislation implementing the
plan, the commission, following a unanimous decision by
commission members, may adjust errors and inconsistencies in
accordance with the standards set forth in this Constitution,
so long as substantive


LD 562 Title Page Top of Page Page 2 of 3