RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Provide for the Popular Election of the Secretary of State and the Attorney General by Ranked-choice Voting
Summary
LD452 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would change how Maine selects two statewide constitutional officers: the Secretary of State and the Attorney General. Under current practice, these offices are filled by the Legislature; this resolution would instead require popular election by Maine voters. The measure also specifies that these elections would use ranked-choice voting when there are three or more candidates, with votes tabulated in rounds according to procedures established by law.
The resolution further provides for vacancy handling. For the Secretary of State, a vacancy would be filled by a new popular election rather than by legislative selection. For the Attorney General, a vacancy occurring when the Legislature is not in session could be filled by gubernatorial appointment, subject to constitutional confirmation requirements. The proposal would be submitted to voters at a statewide referendum, and if approved by a majority, it would become part of the Maine Constitution.
Impact
If enacted, LD452 would amend the Maine Constitution and shift the selection of the Secretary of State and Attorney General from legislative election to direct voter election. It would also extend ranked-choice voting to these offices in multi-candidate races, affecting election administration, ballot design, and vote tabulation procedures. The bill would alter the roles of the Legislature and Governor in filling vacancies and would require state and local election officials to conduct a referendum and, if approved, implement new election rules for these offices.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the measure appears to be framed as a democratic reform proposal rather than a partisan or administrative cleanup bill. Its stated purpose suggests support for greater voter control over constitutional officers and for using ranked-choice voting to ensure majority support in crowded fields. However, no committee transcript or voting history is available here to show whether the proposal was broadly supported, opposed, or amended in discussion.
Contention
The main points of contention likely concern whether the Secretary of State and Attorney General should be chosen by the Legislature or by the electorate, and whether ranked-choice voting is the appropriate method for these offices. Supporters would likely emphasize direct democracy, accountability, and majority-backed winners, while opponents may raise concerns about reducing legislative oversight, complicating election administration, or changing the traditional selection process for officers who play key roles in elections and legal enforcement. The vacancy provisions, especially the Governor’s appointment authority for the Attorney General when the Legislature is not in session, could also draw scrutiny.
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Require a Statewide Popular Election of the Secretary of State, the Treasurer of State and the Attorney General for 4-year Terms
Reforms the organizational structure for the Department of Transportation and Development including its duties, powers, and responsibilities of officers and employees (EN INCREASE SD EX See Note)
A bill for an act providing for certain business entities acting under the jurisdiction of the secretary of state by providing for the removal of information from a filing based on a sworn affidavit and administrative dissolution based on the response to interrogatories.(See HF 2678.)