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LD 1454

An Act To Redefine "Term" In The Law Governing Term Limits For Constitutional Offices

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Bruce Bickford and 4 co-sponsors

Maine bill redefines "term" for constitutional term limits, potentially allowing statewide officials to serve additional years beyond current restrictions.

Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
#legislature #termdefinition #termlimits
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Bill Summary · LD 1454

Legislative bill overview

LD 1454 proposes to redefine what constitutes a "term" for Maine's constitutional term limits on statewide offices (Governor, state legislators, and other constitutional positions). The bill would change how consecutive terms are counted, potentially allowing officials to serve additional years beyond current term limit restrictions.

Why is this important

Term limits are foundational democratic safeguards that prevent excessive power consolidation and ensure regular electoral competition. Redefining "term" could substantially alter how long individual officials can remain in office, affecting the balance of power and voter choice in Maine's elections.

Potential points of contention

  • Democratic principles: Changing term limit definitions may be perceived as circumventing voter-approved constitutional restrictions rather than amending the Constitution itself
  • Selective application: The bill's impact may differ across offices depending on the specific redefinition language, raising fairness concerns
  • Transparency about intent: The exact new definition matters enormously—without seeing the actual language, the practical implications are unclear, but the outcome appears designed to benefit current or future officeholders

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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