Maine
You have a statutory Initiative & Referendum process. Citizens can pass laws they write or suspend a statute passed by the Legislature by collecting enough petition signatures to place the statute on the statewide ballot for a decision by the voters. Unfortunately, voters do not yet enjoy any process for passing a constitutional amendment by Initiative.
Coalition for an Open & Accessible Initiative Process:
Poll:
See the results of a poll on support for statewide initiative & referendum here.
Grade: C
Click here to view Maine’s individual report in Of the People, By the People, For the People: A 2010 Report Card on Statewide Voter Initiative Rights.
Citizen State Coordinator
For more information about how to get involved in protecting and expanding Maine’s initiative process, contact the Citizens in Charge Foundation Maine Citizen State Coordinator:
Mary Adams
Phone (207) 924-3835
State Balloting Process
How you can change Maine’s government through ballot initiatives
History
In 1908, Maine became the first state east of the Mississippi to adopt a
constitutional provision for statewide initiative and referendum. It could
not have happened without the work of the state’s foremost I&R
advocate, Roland T. Patten of Skowhegan… Read More
Ballot Qualifications & Schedule
Date initiative language can be submitted: Anytime
Signatures tied to vote of which office: Governor
Next Gubernatorial election: 2010
Votes cast for governor in last election: 550,870 (2006)
Net number of signatures required: 10% of votes cast for Governor for a
statute (55,087). If proponents have enough signatures, the measure is
sent to the Legislature. If the Legislature does not approve the measure, it
is placed on the next statewide election.
Distribution requirement: None
Circulation period: One year from date the Secretary of State grants
approval.
Do circulators have to be residents and/or registered voters: Yes
Date when signatures are due for certification: No later than late January
to be on the November general election ballot.
Signature verification process: Full certification
Single-subject restriction: Yes (advisory only)
Legislative tampering: By common practice, the legislature can both
repeal and amend initiatives.
Excerpted from the Initiative & Referendum Almanac by M. Dane Waters.