List of amendments to the Maine Constitution

Ballot measures
in Maine

Constitutional amendments
Citizen initiatives
Statutes referred by Legislature
Veto referenda
Laws • History

## Contents

* 1 1834-1910
* 2 1911-1919
* 3 1920-1929
* 4 1930-1939
* 5 1940-1949
* 6 1950-1959
* 7 1960-1969
* 8 1970-1979
* 9 1980-1989
* 10 1990-1999
* 11 2000-2009
* 12 2010-2019
* 13 2020-2029
* 14 See also
* 15 External links
* 16 Footnotes

If two-thirds of both houses of the Maine State Legislature vote to do so, a proposed constitutional amendment to the Maine Constitution can be placed on the statewide ballot. If a proposed amendment is approved by a simple majority of those voting in a particular election, it becomes part of the constitution.

Through 2017, the Maine Constitution had been amended 173 times. Records compiled by the Maine State Legislature provide a list of amendments dating back to 1834.[1] Below, we provide information on approved constitutional amendments through 1910 and on both approved and defeated amendments from 1911 on.

See also: Amending the Maine Constitution

## 1834-1910[edit]

Information on approved constitutional amendments in Maine from 1834 to 1910 is provided in the following table.

Number  | Year  | Description  | In favor  | Opposed  | Outcome

|
|
|
|
|

1 | 1834 | Voting for representatives  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
2 | 1837 | Bail amendment  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
3 | 1839 | Judicial terms of office  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
4 | 1841 | Meeting of legislature, number of representatives, and terms of office for state offices  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
5 | 1847 | Meeting of the legislature  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
6 | 1847 | Governors, senators, and representatives elected by plurality  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
7 | 1850 | Meeting of the legislature  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
8 | 1855 | Officeholders chosen by the people or by the legislature  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
9 | 1864 | Allow soldiers absent from state to vote for governor, senators, representatives, and county officers  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
10 | 1864 | Allow soldiers absent from state to vote  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
11 | 1868 | Authorize limited reimbursement of municipal war expenditures by loaning credit of the state  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
12 | 1869 | Authorize the legislature to divide towns into voting districts  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
13 | 1875 | Elect senators by plurality vote  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
14 | 1875 | Special legislation and corporations  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
15 | 1875 | Power of governor to pardon  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
16 | 1875 | Appointment of judges of municipal and police courts  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
17 | 1875 | Taxation  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
18 | 1875 | Abolish the Land Agency  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
19 | 1875 | Constitutional conventions  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
20 | 1875 | Bribery at elections  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
21 | 1875 | Codification of the amended constitution  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
22 | 1877 | Electors and municipal indebtedness  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
23 | 1879 | Biennial legislative sessions, state office election timing  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
24 | 1880 | Elect governor by plurality vote  | 57,015  | 35,402  | a
25 | 1880 | Change terms of office of senators and representatives  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
26 | 1883 | Prohibit manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors  | 70,783  | 23,811  | a
27 | 1887 | Six-year term limit for state treasurer  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
28 | 1891 | Governor appoints adjudant general  | 9,721  | 9,509  | a
29 | 1891 | Provide for educational qualification of voters  | 25,775  | 18,061  | a
30 | 1897 | Senate vacancies filled by immediate election  | Unavailable  | Unavailable  | a
31 | 1907 | Establish powers of initiative and referendum  | 53,785  | 24,543  | a
32 | 1907 | Amend Section 2 of Article X of the Maine Constitution  | 47,981  | 23,132  | a

## 1911-1919[edit]

Number  | Year  | Description  | In favor  | Opposed  | Outcome

|
|
|
|
|

| 1911 | Manufacturing and sale of intoxicating liquor | 60,095  | 60,853  | d
33 | 1911 | Resolve to Amend the Constitution with Reference to the Seat of Government | 59,678  | 41,294  | a
34 | 1911 | Increase municipal debt limit of towns over 40,000 population to 7.5% | 39,242  | 38,712  | a
35 | 1912 | State bond issue for building and maintaining highways | 80,619  | 21,454  | a
43 | 1913 | Classify property for purposes of taxation | 18,060  | 8,157  | a
44 | 1913 | Timing of elections on constitutional amendments | 16,746  | 6,741  | a
| 1917 | Suffrage for women  | 20,604  | 38,838  | d
45 | 1917 | How to remove sheriffs from office | 29,584  | 25,416  | a
| 1917 | Permission for towns to create local polling places  | 22,588  | 24,593  | d
| 1917 | Relating to the military (state militia)  | 20,585  | 23,912  | d
46 | 1917 | Apportionment of representatives in mergers of towns and cities | 22,013  | 21,719  | a
| 1919 | Relating to the military (state militia)  | 15,826  | 11,020  | d
47 | 1919 | Permit voter suffrage in town for 3 months after removal | 22,024  | 6,751  | a
48 | 1919 | Bonds to build wharves and port facilities | 22,637  | 6,777  | a
49 | 1919 | Increase the state debt limit | 21,542  | 7,080  | a
50 | 1919 | Increase state bonds for highways and bridges | 22,228  | 5,125  | a

## 1920-1929[edit]

Number  | Year  | Description  | In favor  | Opposed  | Outcome

|
|
|
|
|

51 | 1920 | Division of cities and towns into polling places | 76,129  | 29,333  | a
52 | 1920 | Bonus for soldiers and sailors | 105,712  | 32,820  | a
| 1920 | Income tax and tax on intangibles  | 53,975  | 64,787  | d
53 | 1921 | Absentee voting regulated | 14,410  | 11,670  | a
| 1921 | Bonds for state aid highways  | 9,924  | 16,194  | d
| 1921 | Bonus for Spanish war soldiers  | 11,969  | 15,316  | d
54 | 1925 | Bonds for the Kennebec Bridge | 54,107  | 8,228  | a
55 | 1925 | Bonds for highways and bridges | 49,821  | 10,332  | a
| 1926 | Prohibit use of public funds for other than public institutions and public purposes  | 65,349  | 94,148  | d
56 | 1929 | How to fill council vacancies | 62,108  | 32,622  | a
57 | 1929 | Bonds for the Waldo-Hancock Bridge | 58,107  | 43,919  | a
| 1929 | Increase state bonds for highways and bridges  | 58,666  | 64,553  | d

## 1930-1939[edit]

Number  | Year  | Description  | In favor  | Opposed  | Outcome

|
|
|
|
|

58 | 1931 | Number of senators apportioned  | 9,709  | 8,972  | a
| 1933 | Voting machines  | 57,230  | 65,553  | d
| 1933 | Raise state debt limit, exempt state loans for emergency relief from debt limit  | 47,678  | 81,023  | d
59 | 1934 | Repeal 26th amendment (Prohibition)  | 161,893  | 85,363  | a
60 | 1934 | Increase state debt limit  | 117,046  | 91,515  | a
61 | 1934 | Bond issue for the construction and improvement of state buildings  | 123,843  | 79,906  | a
62 | 1935 | Length of residence to qualify as voter  | 23,269  | 5,540  | a
63 | 1935 | Increase state bond issue to match federal aid for highways  | 19,074  | 9,915  | a
64 | 1935 | Voting machines authorized  | 17,855  | 10,996  | a
65 | 1935 | Bond issue for the Deer Isle-Sedgwick Bridge  | 21,383  | 8,375  | a
66 | 1938 | Six month residence to qualify as voter  | 125,996  | 79,342  | a
| 1939 | To increase state highway bonds  | 16,500  | 21,265  | d

## 1940-1949[edit]

Number  | Year  | Description  | In favor  | Opposed  | Outcome

|
|
|
|
|

67 | 1944 | No diversion of highway funds  | 139,805  | 33,172  | a
| 1946 | Bond issue and tax measure to pay soldiers bonus  | 59,725  | 108,467  | d
68 | 1948 | Additional signatures for referendum petitions  | 68,237  | 65,698  | a
69 | 1948 | Traveling expenses of legislators  | 77,716  | 62,236  | a

## 1950-1959[edit]

Number  | Year  | Description  | In favor  | Opposed  | Outcome

|
|
|
|
|

70 | 1951 | Make State Treasurer eligible for a second term | 27,073  | 22,320  | a
71 | 1951 | Direct initiative petition to be signed by at least 10 per cent of gubernatorial vote | 23,600  | 21,986  | a
| 1951 | Increase municipal debt limit from 5 to 7.5% | 21,478  | 26,232  | d
72 | 1951 | Make legislative measures inoperative unless revenue is provided | 24,746  | 20,900  | a
73 | 1951 | Exempt obligations to Maine School Building Authority from municipal debt limit | 23,887  | 20,594  | a
74 | 1951 | Absentee voting | 39,006  | 10,187  | a
| 1951 | Bond issue for state office building | 16,107  | 31,639  | d
75 | 1951 | Clarify state borrowing power | 28,758  | 17,582  | a
76 | 1954 | Increase municipal debt limit from 5 to 7 1/2 per cent | 111,726  | 80,402  | a
77 | 1954 | Permit Indians to vote | 155,528  | 41,688  | a
78 | 1955 | Extend pardon power of Governor and Council to juvenile delinquency offenses | 22,658  | 7,562  | a
79 | 1955 | Change qualifications for citizenship of Governor | 15,157  | 14,452  | a
80 | 1955 | Exempt Maine School Building Authority from municipal debt limit | 19,378  | 9,327  | a
81 | 1955 | Clarify voting by persons in military service | 25,347  | 4,664  | a
82 | 1957 | Bond issue of $20,000,000 for guaranteed loans for industrial purposes | 66,427  | 30,750  | a
83 | 1957 | Change date of general election from September to November | 63,820  | 36,202  | a
84 | 1957 | Four year term for Governor | 60,240  | 41,392  | a

## 1960-1969[edit]

Number  | Year  | Description  | In favor  | Opposed  | Outcome

|
|
|
|
|

85 | 1960 | Continuity of government in case of enemy attack | 343,333  | 24,829  | a
| 1961 | October vote on 2 amendments declared null and void. See under 1962  |  |  |
86 | 1962 | Maine State Retirement System funds to be maintained in trust and not diverted | 187,799  | 43,286  | a
87 | 1962 | Municipal voters to authorize bond issues for building or industrial use | 147,477  | 74,928  | a
88 | 1963 | Election, powers and reapportionment of the House of Representatives | 44,556  | 23,035  | a
89 | 1963 | Forbid discrimination against any person | 49,966  | 19,294  | a
90 | 1964 | Eliminate requirement that Governor communicate pardons to Legislature | 149,582  | 98,581  | a
91 | 1964 | Oaths of Senators and Representatives in absence of Governor and Council | 179,451  | 65,193  | a
92 | 1964 | Examination of election returns for senators and filling of Senate vacancies | 190,949  | 49,339  | a
93 | 1964 | Eliminate certain requirements regarding public money | 131,407  | 102,809  | a
94 | 1964 | Revise Article VI relating to judicial power | 143,614  | 79,095  | a
95 | 1964 | Authority of Governor as commander in chief | 147,984  | 83,335  | a
96 | 1964 | Procedure for determining election of Governor | 156,407  | 74,441  | a
97 | 1964 | President of Senate or Speaker of House assuming Office of Governor | 171,113  | 59,170  | a
98 | 1964 | Additional $20,000,000 for guaranteed loans for industrial purposes | 164,855  | 69,658  | a
99 | 1964 | Clarify procedure relating to election returns | 178,614  | 52,836  | a
100 | 1965 | Eliminate voting restrictions on paupers | 28,233  | 18,630  | a
101 | 1965 | State's credit for guaranteed loans on personal property for industrial purposes | 31,685  | 14,632  | a
102 | 1966 | Apportionment, election and powers of Senate | 157,773  | 91,618  | a
103 | 1967 | Time for codifying Constitution | 46,649  | 29,798  | a
104 | 1967 | State's credit for bonds not exceeding one million for loans to Maine students in higher education | 57,583  | 24,018  | a
105 | 1967 | Mortgage loan insurance for recreational projects increase from 10 to 17 million | 40,619  | 38,454  | a
106 | 1967 | Repeal offices of judges and registers of probate as constitutional officers | 41,850  | 34,454  | a
107 | 1967 | Temporary loans in anticipation of state tax revenue | 45,086  | 31,930  | a
108 | 1967 | Industrial loans to fisheries and agriculture insured | 49,886  | 38,365  | a
109 | 1968 | Increase to $80,000,000 the limit of legislature's authority to insure payment of loans | 240,983  | 89,015  | a
| 1969 | State's credit for bonds up to 25 million to private colleges | 55,770  | 79,051  | d
110 | 1969 | Odd-numbered Senate, 31-35 members | 76,330  | 57,950  | a
111 | 1969 | Municipal home rule | 76,405  | 56,209  | a
112 | 1969 | State's credit pledged for loans of Maine School Building Authority | 70,639  | 64,594  | a

## 1970-1979[edit]

Number  | Year  | Description  | In favor  | Opposed  | Outcome

|
|
|
|
|

113 | 1970 | Reduce voting age to 20 years | 167,660  | 117,668  | a
114 | 1970 | Valuation of certain lands at current value | 168,390  | 99,316  | a
115 | 1970 | Convening of special sessions by the Legislature | 157,903  | 110,047  | a
116 | 1971 | Reduce voting age to 18 | 144,949  | 99,274  | a
117 | 1971 | Governor's term to continue until successor qualified | 170,851  | 67,875  | a
118 | 1971 | State's credit for loans to Maine college students | 139,984  | 97,430  | a
119 | 1972 | State's credit for loans for housing for Indians | 268,969  | 104,521  | a
120 | 1972 | State's credit for loans to resident Maine veterans | 292,405  | 81,629  | a
| 1972 | Reduce age of member of House to 20 years | 179,557  | 194,166  | d
121 | 1973 | Regulation of municipal borrowing by Legislature | 122,555  | 100,984  | a
122 | 1973 | Status of bills presented to Governor, legislative adjournment | 153,639  | 68,446  | a
123 | 1974 | Eliminate 3-mo. residence requirement within state | 217,445  | 110,588  | a
124 | 1974 | Appointment of Justices of Peace and Notaries Public | 214,353  | 96,554  | a
125 | 1974 | Clarify validity of municipal industrial parks | 239,953  | 71,644  | a
126 | 1975 | Establish single-member districts, Apportionment Commission | 94,773  | 45,307  | a
127 | 1975 | Clarify initiative and referendum petition procedures | 105,073  | 32,995  | a
128 | 1975 | Provide for inability of Governor to discharge powers and duties | 112,171  | 31,647  | a
129 | 1975 | Abolish Executive Council | 94,702  | 47,513  | a
130 | 1975 | Provide for annual sessions of Legislature | 91,582  | 47,877  | a
131 | 1976 | Allow Governor 10 days to act on legislation | 332,174  | 98,043  | a
132 | 1976 | Allow judges to hold office up to 6 mos. till successors appointed | 331,802  | 105,278  | a
133 | 1976 | Increase bond limit on vet mortgage loans | 247,499  | 170,083  | a
134 | 1976 | Bond service revenues | 242,299  | 149,571  | a
135 | 1978 | Eliminate Justice of the Peace as a constitutional office | 179,146  | 141,527  | a
136 | 1978 | Repeal poll tax & payment in lieu of military duty | 185,997  | 124,650  | a
137 | 1978 | Reduce, combine guarantee limits for insurance of enterprises | 204,747  | 95,546  | a
138 | 1978 | Require legislature to convene in December after general election | 165,262  | 153,409  | a
139 | 1978 | Reimburse municipalities for losses caused by property tax exemptions | 213,417  | 100,488  | a
140 | 1978 | Taxes may be assessed in cost-sharing formula | 212,063  | 97,764  | a
| 1979 | Remove the literacy requirement for eligibility to vote | 84,971  | 170,267  | d

## 1980-1989[edit]

#  | Year  | Description  | In favor  | Opposed  | Outcome

|
|
|
|
|

141 | 1980 | Bring into conformance the year in which the House and Senate shall be apportioned | 298,113  | 144,976  | a
142 | 1980 | Change the referendum provisions so that the direct initiative and people's veto elections can be held at the same time as a scheduled statewide election | 364,629  | 96,099  | a
143 | 1980 | Allow either the constitution or statutes to determine the manner of selection of judges of probate and justices of the peace | 288,116  | 156,880  | a
144 | 1981 | Change the initiative provisions to require that all signatures be dated and validity be limited to one year | 141,975  | 77,170  | a
145 | 1981 | Candidates for and members of the House of Representatives must reside in the district they represent | 193,862  | 37,257  | a
146 | 1981 | Decrease the bonding limit of the Maine School Building Authority from $10,000,000 to $6,000,000 | 143,962  | 80,300  | a
147 | 1982 | Limit the life of bond authorizations | 241,838  | 152,727  | a
148 | 1982 | Authorize the credit of the state to be loaned to secure funds for loans to parents of Maine students attending institutions of higher education | 257,040  | 162,696  | a
| 1983 | Allow state to create a property tax exemption for watercraft without being required to reimburse municipalities for 50% of the property tax revenue loss | 133,605  | 151,499  | d
149 | 1983 | Expanding any principal amount of the Mining Excise Tax Trust Fund requires two-thirds vote of the Legislature | 179,082  | 96,370  | a
150 | 1983 | Change municipal property tax loss reimbursement provisions and penalty payable upon the change of use of land containing minerals | 140,680  | 125,309  | a
151 | 1984 | To limit the life of bonds authorized but not issued | 309,717  | 175,127  | a
| 1984 | Resolution of the Legislature to provide for an equal rights amendment | 195,653  | 333,998  | d
152 | 1984 | Allow the Legislature to set the limit for guaranteed business loans to Maine Veterans | 296,299  | 206,760  | a
153 | 1984 | No watercraft will be taxed as personal property, provided there is an excise tax on some watercraft collected and used by municipalities | 336,848  | 169,286  | a
| 1985 | Members of Legislature can be appointed to civil office as long as they resign from the Legislature upon confirmation | 92,262  | 92,824  | d
154 | 1985 | Extend the tenure for sheriffs from 2 years to 4 years | 110,080  | 80,141  | a
155 | 1986 | Improve the efficiency of the apportioning commission and specify how the commission should operate | 250,609  | 130,410  | a
156 | 1987 | Clarify the rights of citizens to keep and bear arms | 216,013  | 159,226  | a
157 | 1987 | Candidates for state legislature must reside in the district the candidate seeks to represent at the time he is nominated | 300,932  | 73,316  | a
158 | 1988 | Remove gender biased language from Maine Constitution | 292,335  | 232,456  | a
| 1989 | Insure the payment of mortgage loans for affordable housing for Maine citizens, not to exceed $25,000,000 in the aggregate | 112,090  | 115,232  | d

## 1990-1999[edit]

#  | Year  | Description  | In favor  | Opposed  | Outcome

|
|
|
|
|

| 1990 | State government guarantee repayment of housing loans to stimulate housing market | 236,348  | 250,346  | d
159 | 1991 | Funds appropriated to the Maine State Retirement System may not be diverted to another purpose | 262,113  | 111,705  | a
160 | 1992 | Treasurer of State Amendment | 396,409  | 219,822  | a
161 | 1992 | Inland Fisheries Revenue Amendment | 467,672  | 164,759  | a
162 | 1992 | Funded Mandates Amendment | 327,249  | 278,518  | a
163 | 1993 | State Park Amendment | 169,485  | 63,056  | a
164 | 1995 | Retirement System Amendment | 274,786  | 123,208  | a
165 | 1995 | Line-Item Veto Amendment | 286,929  | 115,216  | a
166 | 1996 | Signature Certification on Initiative Petitions | 367,994  | 187,428  | a
| 1997 | Repeal Mental Illness Provision | 141,654  | 196,662  | d
167 | 1999 | Election Timing of People's Veto | 285,174  | 114,640  | a
168 | 1999 | Property Taxes on Historically Significant Property | 221,997  | 185,121  | a

## 2000-2009[edit]

#  | Year  | Description  | In favor  | Opposed  | Outcome

|
|
|
|
|

| 2000 | Commercial Fishing Property Tax Amendment | 301,931  | 305,554  | d
| 2000 | Repeal of Mental Illness Voting Restrictions Amendment | 250,729  | 379,964  | d
169 | 2002 | Short-Term Debt for Highway Construction Amendment | 262,900  | 212,940  | a
170 | 2005 | Commercial Fishing Amendment | 276,116  | 109,508  | a
171 | 2006 | Initiative Petition Deadlines Amendment | 270,922  | 229,749  | a
| 2009 | Time Frame for Certification of Signatures Amendment | 260,887  | 285,385  | d

## 2010-2019[edit]

#  | Year  | Description  | In favor  | Opposed  | Outcome

|
|
|
|
|

172 | 2011 | Redistricting Amendment | 197,026  | 175,112  | a
173 | 2017 | Public Pension Unfunded Liabilities Amendment | 208,924  | 122,545  | a
174 | 2019 | Allow for Alternative Initiative Signatures for Persons with Disabilities Amendment | 141,162  | 45,799  | a
175 | 2021 | Right to Produce, Harvest, and Consume Food Amendment | 249,273  | 160,440  | a

## 2020-2029[edit]

#  | Year  | Description  | In favor  | Opposed  | Outcome

|
|
|
|
|

176 | 2021 | Right to Produce, Harvest, and Consume Food Amendment | 249,273  | 160,440  | a
177 | 2023 | Change Time Period of Judicial Review of Initiative Petitions Amendment | 227,325  | 165,969  | a
178 | 2023 | Require Indian Treaty Obligations and Other Constitutional Provisions Included in Official Printing Amendment | 287,205  | 106,984  | a
| 2023 | Remove Residency Requirement for Initiative Petition Circulators Amendment | 122,804  | 267,552  | d
| 2023 | Repeal Constitutional Provision Prohibiting Voting for Individuals Under Guardianship Due to Mental Illness Amendment | 183,281  | 210,301  | d

## See also[edit]

* List of Maine ballot measures
* List of People's Veto ballot measures in Maine

## External links[edit]

* Constitution of the State of Maine
* Constitutional amendments from 1834-present.
* Downloadable Constitution (dead link) (PDF)
* Maine Politics and Government: The Constitutional Tradition, page 57.
* Constitute of the State of Maine as of 1902, including information about amendments up to the 30th.

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Maine State Legislature, "Constitutional Amendments Enacted, 1834-," December 6, 2017

* * *

v • e

Proposed amendments to the Maine Constitution

|

Laws |

Maine Legislature • Maine State Senate • Maine House of Representatives • Maine Constitution • All Maine ballot measures

2000-2009 |

Commercial Fishing ('00) • Voting Restrictions/Mentally Ill ('00)) • Highway Construction Short-Term Debt ('02) • Commercial Fishing ('05) • Initiative Petition Deadlines ('06)

1990-1999 |

Housing Guarantees ('90) • Retirement Fund ('91) • Housing Loan Repayment ('91)) • State Treasurer ('92) • Inland Fisheries ('92) • Funded Mandates ('92) • State Parks ('93) • Retirement System ('95) • Line-Item Veto ('95) • Signature Certification ('96) • Mentally Ill Voting Rights ('97) • People's Veto Election Timing ('99) • Historically Significant Properties ('99)

1980-1989 |

Legislative Re-districting ('80) • Initiative Elections ('80) • Selecting Justices of the Peace ('80) • Petition Signature Deadlines ('81) • Legislature Residency ('81) • School Bonds ('81) • Life Limits/Bonds ('82) • Higher Ed Loans ('82) • Property Taxes on Watercraft ('83) • Excise Tax Trust ('83) •  Mineral-Bearing Lands ('83) • Un-Issued Bonds ('84) • Equal Rights Amendment ('84) • Veteran Loans ('84) • Watercraft Excise Tax ('84) • Legislators in Civil Office ('85) • Tenure of Sheriffs ('85) • Re-Districting ('86) • Right to Bear Arms ('87) • Legislature Residency ('87) • Gender-Biased Language('88) • Mortgage Guarantees ('89)