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LD 1437

Resolution, Proposing An Amendment To The Constitution Of Maine To Specify The Qualifications Of Electors In State And Local Elections

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Donald Ardell and 9 co-sponsors

Proposed Maine constitutional amendment would define who qualifies as an elector in state and local elections; would need voter approval, but the measure died in May 2025.

Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
#elections #electorqualifications #votingprocedures
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LD 1437

Summary: LD 1437 — Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Specify the Qualifications of Electors in State and Local Elections

Quick take

LD 1437 is a House-sponsored resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to define who qualifies as an elector in Maine’s state and local elections. The measure was introduced on April 3, 2025, referred to the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, and ultimately did not advance, being placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) on May 29, 2025.

Purpose and intent

  • To amend the Maine Constitution to specify the qualifications of electors in state and local elections.
  • The exact eligibility criteria would be established in the constitutional text, to be decided by voter approval if the amendment reached a statewide referendum.

Key provisions (as indicated by bill description)

  • Enacts a constitutional amendment addressing who is eligible to vote (electors) in Maine at both state and local levels.
  • The precise criteria (e.g., age, residency, citizenship, registration status) would be embodied in the constitution once approved by voters; the bill itself is a vehicle to place that amendment before the electorate.

Who would be affected

  • All individuals eligible to vote in Maine under the amended constitutional criteria.
  • The measure would create a statewide ballot question to authorize the constitutional change, affecting future eligibility rules for state and local elections.

Procedural and timeline details

  • Introduced: April 3, 2025.
  • Sponsor: Rep. Faulkingham of Winter Harbor; Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs.
  • Legislative path:
    • Referred to the Committee (April 3, 2025).
    • Work session held May 7, 2025; reported OUT as ONTP/OTP-AM May 23, 2025.
    • Majority Ought Not to Pass report accepted in concurrence on May 29, 2025; roll call and final disposition placed the measure in Legislative Files (DEAD) on May 29, 2025.
  • The bill’s status is “DEAD,” meaning it did not advance to a floor vote or enactment.

Fiscal impact and referendum costs

  • Two fiscal notes (LR1356(01) and LR1356(02)) address potential referendum-related costs.
  • Budgetary assumption: Secretary of State’s budget covers one ballot of average length for the November 2025 general election.
  • If additional ballot production is required due to multiple referendum questions, an extra appropriation of approximately $341,000 may be necessary.

Summary

LD 1437 sought to place a constitutional change before voters to specify who may vote in Maine’s state and local elections. While it underwent standard committee review and voting, it ultimately was not enacted and was declared dead in May 2025. The fiscal notes highlight potential costs tied to a November 2025 referendum, contingent on ballot complexity.

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

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