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LD 508

Resolution, Proposing An Amendment To The Constitution Of Maine To Require Constitutional Officers To Be Elected By Popular Election

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Joe Baldacci and 7 co-sponsors

Proposes a Maine constitutional amendment to require constitutional officers to be elected by statewide popular vote, not appointed, triggering a statewide referendum.

Placed in the Legislative Files. (DEAD)
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Bill Summary · LD 508

Summary — LD 508 (132nd Maine Legislature)

Title: Resolution, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Require Constitutional Officers to Be Elected by Popular Election
Introduced: February 7, 2025
Subjects: Constitutional officers; elections; state government
Status: Placed in the Legislative Files (DEAD) — June 11, 2025

Purpose

LD 508 is a legislative resolution proposing a constitutional amendment that would require that Maine’s “constitutional officers” be chosen by popular (statewide) election rather than by whatever selection method currently applies. As a constitutional amendment, adoption would ultimately require placement before Maine voters in a statewide referendum.

Key provisions

  • Proposes an amendment to the Maine Constitution to require that constitutional officers be elected by the people (text of the amendment is not included in the provided materials).
  • The bill was amended in committee (Committee Amendment S‑284) and further amended in the House (House Amendment H‑640); those amendments were adopted during legislative consideration. The specific substantive changes made by the amendments are not contained in the documents supplied.

Fiscal impact

  • Preliminary fiscal notes (Feb. 12 and Apr. 24, 2025) indicated a potential increase in General Fund costs in the current biennium related to referendum administration. The Secretary of State’s budget can absorb one average-length ballot for the November general election; if the referendum necessitated production/delivery of a second ballot, an additional appropriation of $341,000 may be required.
  • A later fiscal note (approved June 10, 2025) associated with a House amendment states “No fiscal impact.” (Different fiscal notes reflect different assessments depending on amendments and assumptions.)

Who would be affected

  • State-level constitutional officers (the resolution does not enumerate specific offices in the supplied materials).
  • The Maine Legislature and any existing selection or appointment processes for those offices, which could be altered or eliminated if the amendment were adopted.
  • The Secretary of State’s Office (administration of an additional statewide referendum and potential changes to election administration).
  • Voters and prospective candidates for affected offices, who would vote in statewide elections.

Legislative history & current status

  • Referred to the Committee on State and Local Government (Feb. 7, 2025); work session held April 23, 2025; committee issued a divided report.
  • The House adopted committee and house amendments and passed the resolution to be engrossed (June 11, 2025).
  • The Senate consideration included tied and divided votes; on June 11, 2025 the Senate moved to indefinitely postpone the resolution in non‑concurrence. The House ultimately receded and concurred with the indefinite postponement.
  • Final disposition: Placed in the Legislative Files on June 11, 2025 (bill is dead for the 132nd Legislature).

Notes / Uncertainties

  • The provided materials do not include the amendment’s precise constitutional language or a listing of which offices would be affected. The practical effect depends on those specifics (e.g., timing of elections, terms, transition provisions).
  • As a constitutional amendment, enactment would require approval by voters at a statewide referendum; the fiscal notes reflect costs associated with that referendum.

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

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