HP0391, LD 534, item 2, Document Text

Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the emergency clause and inserting the following:

‘Sec. 1. 21-A MRSA §906, sub-§6, ¶¶B and C, as repealed and replaced by PL 1993, c. 352, §3, are amended to read:

B. The Secretary of State shall write the question in a simple, clear, concise and direct manner that describes the subject matter of the people's veto or direct initiative as simply as is possible.

C. The question for a direct initiative must be phrased so that an affirmative vote is in favor of the people's veto or direct initiative.

Sec. 2. 21-A MRSA §906, sub-§8 is enacted to read:

8. Explanation of effect of "yes" or "no" vote. The Secretary of State shall include on the ballot for each referendum question those portions of the statement prepared by the Attorney General pursuant to Title 1, section 353 that describe what a "yes" vote favors and what a "no" vote opposes. These statements must appear directly below the relevant referendum question and above the place on the ballot for the voter to designate the voter's choice.’

Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section number to read consecutively.

summary

This amendment strikes and replaces the bill but retains the emergency preamble and emergency clause. The amendment makes the following changes to the laws governing the printing of ballots for referendum questions.

1. It requires that the Secretary of State draft the ballot question for a people's veto or a direct initiative in a clear, concise and direct manner that describes the subject matter of the people's veto or direct initiative as simply as is possible.

2. It eliminates the requirement that questions for a people's veto referendum be phrased so that an affirmative vote is in favor of the people's veto.

3. It requires that an explanation of the effect of a "yes" vote and the effect of a "no" vote be printed on the ballot immediately below each referendum question, including each people's veto, direct initiative, bond issue, constitutional amendment and other legislatively proposed referendum question.

FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED

(See attached)

HP0391 LD 534	Session - 129th Maine Legislature C "A", Filing Number H-277, Sponsored by		LR 1686 Item 2
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