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Votes on Constitutional Amendments, 1910- : Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library

Based on information from the Elections Division, Office of the Secretary of State

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1920  1950  1960  1970  1980  1990  2000

Election Year Subject Yes Votes No Votes
1911 To abrogate the 26th Amendment relating to the manufacturing and sale of intoxicating liquor  60,095 Yes  60,853 No
1911 To declare Augusta the seat of state government  59,678 Yes  41,294 No
1911 To increase the municipal debt limit of towns over 40,000 population to 7 1/2 per cent  39,242 Yes  38,712 No
1912 State bond issue for building and maintaining highways  80,619 Yes  21,454 No
1913 To classify property for purposes of taxation  18,060 Yes    8,157 No
1913 Relating to constitutional amendments  16,746 Yes    6,741 No
1917 Woman suffrage  20,604 Yes  38,838 No
1917 Removal of sheriffs provided for  29,584 Yes  25,416 No
1917 Permission for towns to create local polling places  22,588 Yes  24,593 No
1917 Relating to the military (state militia)  20,585 Yes  23,912 No
1917 Apportionment of representatives in mergers of towns and cities  22,013 Yes  21,719 No
1919 Relating to the military (state militia)  15,826 Yes  11,020 No
1919 To permit voter suffrage in town for 3 months after removal  22,024 Yes    6,751 No
1919 Bonds to build wharves and port facilities  22,637 Yes    6,777 No
1919 To increase the state debt limit  21,542 Yes     7,080 No
1919 To increase state bonds for highways and bridges  26,228 Yes    5,125 No
1920 Division of cities and towns into polling places  76,129 Yes  29,333 No
1920 Bonus for soldiers and sailors 105,712 Yes  32,820 No
1920 Income tax and tax on intangibles  53,975 Yes  64,787 No
1921 Absentee voting regulated  14,410 Yes  11,670 No
1921 Bonds for state aid highways    9,924 Yes  16,194 No
1921 Bonus for Spanish War soldiers  11,969 Yes  15,316 No
1925 Bond issue for Kennebec Bridge  54,107 Yes    8,228 No
1925 Bond issue for highways and bridges  49,821 Yes  10,332 No
1926 To prohibit the use of public funds for other than public institutions and public purposes  65,349 Yes  94,148 No
1929 To fill council vacancies  62,108 Yes  32,622 No
1929 Bond issue for Waldo-Hancock Bridge  58,107 Yes  43,919 No
1929 To increase state bonds for highways and bridges  58,666 Yes  64,553 No
1931 Number of senators apportioned    9,709    8,972 No
1933 Voting machines  57,230 Yes  65,553 No
1933 To raise state debt limit and exempt state loans for emergency relief from the municipal debt limit  47,678 Yes  81,023 No
1934 To repeal 26th amendment (Prohibition) 161,893 Yes  85,363 No
1934 To increase state debt limit 117,046 Yes  91,515 No
1934 Bond issue for the construction and improvement of state buildings 123,843 Yes  79,906 No
1935 Length of residence to qualify as voter  23,269 Yes    5,540 No
1935 To increase state bond issue to match federal aid for highways  19,074 Yes    9,915 No
1935 Voting machines authorized  17,855 Yes  10,996 No
1935 Bond issue for the Deer Isle-Sedgwick Bridge  21,383 Yes    8,375 No
1938 Six month residence to qualify as voter 125,996 Yes  79,342 No
1939 To increase state highway bonds  16,500 Yes  21,265 No
1944 No diversion of highway funds 139,805 Yes  33,172 No
1946 Bond issue and tax measure to pay soldiers bonus  59,725 Yes 108,467 No
1948 Additional signatures for referendum petitions  68,237 Yes  65,698 No
1948 Traveling expenses of legislators  77,716 Yes  62,236 No
1950 To codify the Constitution106,433 Yes  44,688 No
1950 To change the date of filing initiated legislation 101,116 Yes  46,238 No
1950 State bonds issued with the consent of the people (removed necessity of constitutional amendment for state bond issues) 112,035 Yes  44,124 No
1950 Bonds for Fore River Bridge 106,952 Yes  55,248 No
1950 Reapportionment formula 109,325 Yes  43,718 No
1951 To make State Treasurer elegible for a second term  27,073 Yes  22,320 No
1951 Direct initiative petition to be signed by at least 10 per cent of gubernatorial vote  23,600 Yes  21,986 No
1951 To increase municipal debt limit from 5 to 7 1/2 per cent  21,478 Yes  26,232 No
1951 To make legislative measures inoperative unless revenue is provided  24,746 Yes  20,900 No
1951 To exempt obligations to Maine School Building Authority from municipal debt limit  23,887 Yes  20,594 No
1951Absentee voting  39,006 Yes  10,187 No
1951 Bond issue for state office building  16,107 Yes  31,639 No
1951 To clarify state borrowing power  28,758 Yes  17,582 No
1954 To increase municipal debt limit from 5 to 7 1/2 per cent 111,726 Yes  80,402 No
1954 To permit Indians to vote 155,528 Yes  41,688 No
1955 To extend pardon power of Governor and Council to juvenile delinquency offenses  22,658 Yes    7,562 No
1955 To change qualifications for citizenship of Governor  15,157 Yes  14,452 No
1955 To exempt Maine School Building Authority from municipal debt limit  19,378 Yes    9,327 No
1955 To clarify voting by persons in military service  25,347 Yes    4,664 No
1957 Bond issue of $20,000,000 for guaranteed loans for industrial purposes  66,427 Yes  30,750 No
1957 To change date of general election from September to November  63,820 Yes  36,202 No
1957 Four year term for Governor  60,240 Yes  41,392 No
1960 Continuity of government in case of enemy attack 343,333 Yes  24,829 No
1961 October vote on 2 amendments declared null and void. See under 1962   
1962 Maine State Retirment System funds to be maintained in trust and not diverted 187,799 Yes  43,286 No
1962 Municipal voters to authorize bond issues for building or industrial use 147,447 Yes  74,928 No
1963 Affecting election, powers and reapportionment of the House of Representatives  44,556 Yes  23,035 No
1963 Forbidding discrimination against any person  49,966 Yes  19,294 No
1964 To eliminate requirement that Governor communicate pardons to Legislature 149,582 Yes  98,581 No
1964 Oaths of Senators and Representatives in absence of Governor and Council 179,451 Yes  65,193 No
1964 Examination of election returns for senators and filling of Senate vacancies 190,949 Yes  49,339 No
1964 To eliminate certain requirements regarding public money 131,407 Yes 102,809 No
1964 To revise Article VI relating to judicial power 143,614 Yes  79,095 No
1964 Authority of Governor as commander in chief 147,984 Yes  83,335 No
1964 Procedure for determining election of Governor 156,407 Yes  74,441 No
1964 President of Senate or Speaker of House assuming Office of Governor 171,113 Yes  59,170 No
1964 Additional $20,000,000 for guaranteed loans for industrial purposes 164,855 Yes  69,658 No
1964 Clarify procedure relating to election returns 178,614 Yes  52,836 No
1965 Eliminate voting restrictions on paupers  28,233 Yes  18,630 No
1965 State's credit for guaranteed loans on personal property for industrial purposes  31,685 Yes  14,632 No
1966 Apportionment, election and powers of Senate 157,773 Yes  91,618 No
1967 Time for codifying Constitution  46,649 Yes  29,798 No
1967 State's credit for bonds not exceeding one million for loans to Maine students in higher education  57,583 Yes  24,018 No
1967 Mortgage loan insurance for recreational projects increase from 10 to 17 million  40,619 Yes  38,454 No
1967 Repeal offices of judges and registers of probate as constitutional officers  41,850 Yes  34,454 No
1967 Temporary loans in anticipation of state tax revenues  45,086 Yes  31,930 No
1967 Industrial loans to fisheries and agriculture insured  49,886 Yes  28,365 No
1968 Increase to $80,000,000 the limit of legislature's authority to insure payment of loans 240,983 Yes  89,015 No
1969 State's credit for bonds up to 25 million to private colleges  55,770 Yes  79,051 No
1969 Odd-numbered Senate, 31-35 members  76,330 Yes  57,950 No
1969 Municipal home rule  76,405 Yes  56,209 No
1969 State's credit pledged for loans of Maine School Building Authority  70,639 Yes  64,594 No
1970 Reduce voting age to 20 years167,660 Yes 117,668 No
1970 Valuation of certain lands at current value 168,390 Yes  99,316 No
1970 Convening of special sessions by the Legislature 157,903 Yes 110,047 No
1971 Reduce voting age to 18 144,949 Yes  99,274 No
1971 Governor's term to continue until successor has qualified 170,851 Yes  67,875 No
1971 State's credit for loans to Maine college students 139,984 Yes  97,430 No
1972 State's credit for loans for housing for Indians 268,969 Yes 104,521 No
1972 State's credit for loans to resident Maine veterans 292,405 Yes  81,629 No
1972 Reduce age of member of House to 20 years 179,557 Yes 194,166 No
1973 Regulation of municipal borrowing by Legislature 122,555 Yes 100,984 No
1973 Status of bills presented to Governor and time Legislature adjourns 153,639 Yes  68,446 No
1974 Eliminate 3-mo. residence requirement within state 217,445 Yes 110,588 No
1974 Appointment of Justices of Peace and Notaries Public to initial term by Gov. & Council, thereafter by renewal of commission 214,353 Yes  96,554 No
1974 Clarify validity of municipal industrial parks 239,953 Yes  71,644 No
1975 Establish single-member districts, Apportionment Commission  94,773 Yes  45,307 No
1975 Clarify initiative and referendum petition procedures 105,073 Yes  32,995 No
1975 Provide for inability of Governor to discharge powers and duties 112,171 Yes  31,647 No
1975 Abolish Executive Council, etc.  94,702 Yes  47,513 No
1975 Provide for annual sessions of Legislature, etc.  91,582 Yes  47,877 No
1976 Allow Governor 10 days to act on legislation 332,174 98,043 Allow judges to hold office up to 6 mos. till successors appointed 331,802 Yes 105,278 No
1976 Increase bonding limit on veterans mortgage loans from $2,000,000 to $4,000,000 and decrease bonding limit of Maine School Building Authority from $25,000,000 to 10,000,000 247,499 Yes 170,083 No
1976 Prohibit bonding of current expenditures, assure revenue for bond service 242,299 Yes 149,571 No
1978 Eliminate the office of Justice of the Peace as a Constitutional office 179,146 Yes 141,527 No
1978 Repeal provisions relating to the poll tax & payment in lieu of military duty 185,997 Yes 124,650 No
1978 Reduce & combine the guarantee limits for insurance of enterprises 204,747 Yes  95,546 No
1978 Require the Legislature to convene in December after the general election 165,262 Yes 153,409 No
1978 Reimburse municipalities for losses caused by property tax exemptions & credits 213,417 Yes 100,488 No
1978 Provide that taxes may be assessed in cost- sharing formula agreeable to communities involved 212,063 Yes  97,764 No
1979 Remove the literacy requirement for elegibility to vote  84,971 Yes 170,267 No
1980 Bring into conformance the year in which the House and Senate shall be apportioned 298,113 Yes 144,976 No
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 Yes  96,099 No
1980 Allow either the constitution or statutes to determine the manner of selection of judges of probate and justices of the peace 288,116 Yes 156,880 No
1981 Change the initiative provisions to require that all signatures be dated and validity be limited to one year 141,975 Yes  77,170 No
1981 Clarify the residency requirements for candidates for and members of the House of Representatives by requiring that they must reside in the district which they represent 193,862 Yes  37,257 No
1981 Decrease the bonding limit of the Maine School Building Authority from $10,000,000 to $6,000,000 143,962 Yes  80,300 No
1982 Limit the life of bond authorizations 241,838 Yes 152,727 No
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 Yes 162,696 No
1983 Allow the 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 Yes 151,499 No
1983 Require two-thirds vote of the elected members of the Legislature to expend any principal amount of the Mining Excise Tax Trust Fund or any successor funds 179,082 Yes  96,370 No
1983 Change the municipal property tax loss reimbursement provisions and to change the penalty payable upon the change of use of land containing minerals which is being valued at current use 140,680 Yes 125,309 No
1984 To limit the life of bonds authorized but not issued 309,717 Yes 175,127 No
1984 Resolution of the Legislature to provide for an equal rights amendment 195,653 Yes 333,998 No
1984 To allow the Legislature to set the limit for guaranteed business loans to Maine Veterans 296,299 Yes 206,760 No
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 Yes 169,286 No
1985 To allow qualified individuals in the Legislaure to be appointed to civil office so long as they resign from the Legislature upon confirmation  92,262 Yes  92,824 No
1985 To extend the tenure for sheriffs from 2 years to 4 years 110,080 Yes  80,141 No
1986 To improve the efficiency of the apportioning commission and to specify how the commission should operate 250,609 Yes 130,410 No
1987 "Shall the Consitution of Maine be amended to clarify the rights of citizens to keep and bear arms?" 216,013 Yes 159,226 No
1987 "Shall the Constitution of Maine be amended to require a candidate for State Representative or State Senator to be a resident in the district which the candidate seeks to represent at the time he is nominated to be placed on any election ballot?" 300,932 Yes  73,316 No
1988 "Shall the Constitution of Maine be amended to remove gender biased language in order to clarify that the Constitution applies to all individuals?" 292,335 Yes 232,456 No
1989 "Shall the Constitution of Maine be amended as proposed by a resolution of the Legislature to insure the payment of mortgage loans for affordable housing for Maine citizens, not to exceed $25,000,000 in the aggregate?" 112,090 Yes 115,232 No
1990 "Shall the Constition of Maine be amended as proposed by a resolution of the Legislature to insure payment of mortgage loans for the purpose of encouraging the acquisition, construction, repair or remodeling of housing for Maine citizens?" 236,348 Yes 250,346 No
1991 "Shall the Constitution of Maine be amended to provide that funds appropriated to the Maine State Retirement System become assets of the system and may not be diverted to another purpose?" 262,113 Yes 111,705 No
1992 "Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to allow the deputy treasurer of state to fill the vacant position of Treasurer of State and the first deputy secretary of state to fill the vacant position of Secretary of State until the Legislature elects a new Treasurer of State and Secretary of State during the current session if in session, or in the next regular or special session?" 396,409 Yes 219822 No
1992 "Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to provide that revenues derived from noncommercial hunting, fishing and trapping licenses and permits and other revenues collected by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, other than revenues set aside for special purposes, must be appropriated to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife?" 467,672 Yes 164,759 No
1992 "Shall the Constitution of Maine be amended to require the State to fund any state mandates imposed upon a municipality by statute, by executive order or by rule?" 327,249 Yes 278,518 No
1993 "Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to protect state park or other designated conservation or recreation land by requiring a 2/3 vote of the Legislature to reduce it or change its purpose?" 169,485 Yes  63,056 No
1994 Did not have any Constitutional Amendments.  
1995 "Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to require sound funding of the Maine State Retirement System, to require paying off the current unfunded liability in 31 years and to prohibit the creation of new unfunded liabilities?" 274,786 Yes 123,208 No
1995 "Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to give the Governor a line-item veto over expenditures of state funds, providing that vetoed items may be passed over the Governor's veto by a majority of all of the elected members of the Senate and the House of Representatives?" 286,929 Yes 115,216 No
1996 "Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to require that a direct initiative petition be submitted to local officials earlier than is presently required in order to allow 5 working days rather than 2 days for local officials to certify the petitions?" 367,994 Yes187,428 No
1997"Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to remove the language providing that all persons under guardianship for reasons of mental illness are disqualified from voting?"141,654 Yes196,662 No
1999"Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to require that a petition for a people's veto be voted on at the next statewide or 
general election, rather that at a special election?"		285,174 Yes114,640 No
1999"Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to allow for 
reduced property taxes on property that will be maintained for 
historic preservation or for scenic views of significant vistas?"		221,997 Yes185,121 No
2000"Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to allow the 
Legislature to provide for the assessment fo land used for 
commercial fishing activities based on the current use of that 
property?"		301,931 Yes305,554 No
2000"Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to end 
discrimination against persons under guardianship for mental illness for the purpose of voting?"		250,729 Yes379,964 No
2002"Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to allow the State to issue short-term debt in limited amounts that must be repaid with federal transportation funds within 12 months to facilitate the development of highways, bridges and other transportation projects?"262,900 Yes212,940 No
2005"Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to permit the Legislature to authorize waterfront land used for commercial fishing activities to be assessed based on land's current use in a manner similar to treatment now available for farms, open space and forestland?"276,116109,508
2006"Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to state that a citizens’ initiative or people’s veto petition must be submitted to local or state officials by the constitutional deadline in order to be certified and, in the case of a citizens’ initiative, must be filed with the Secretary of State within 18 months?"270,922229,749

 


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