Maine Senate Bill LD455

Maine 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/11/25
• Refer: 2/11/25
• Failed: 6/10/25

Caption

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

Summary

LD455 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would change how three statewide constitutional officers are selected in Maine: the Secretary of State, the Treasurer of State, and the Attorney General. Under current practice, these officers are chosen by the Legislature; this resolution would instead require them to be elected by popular vote statewide every four years, beginning in 2032, on the same schedule and using the same election procedures as legislative elections. The proposal also revises vacancy procedures for these offices. If a vacancy occurs before the new system takes effect, the relevant deputy or existing constitutional process would continue to apply until the Legislature fills the office. Beginning in 2032, however, vacancies in these offices would be filled by appointment or interim service only until the next popular election under the new constitutional framework. The resolution would be submitted to Maine voters at a statewide referendum, and if approved by a majority, it would amend the Maine Constitution.

Impact

If adopted, LD455 would significantly alter Maine constitutional law by transferring selection of the Secretary of State, Treasurer of State, and Attorney General from legislative election to statewide popular election. It would create four-year terms for those offices and align their election timing with the election of legislators. The measure would also affect vacancy-filling procedures and the roles of deputies and gubernatorial appointments, while requiring election officials to administer a new statewide ballot question and, later, regular elections for these offices.

Sentiment

The recorded votes suggest the proposal was controversial and did not command majority support in either chamber at the time of the votes shown. The measure lost on a majority ought-to-pass-as-amended report in both the Senate and the House, indicating that while it had some support, it faced substantial opposition. No committee transcript is available here, so the available record shows division more than consensus.

Contention

The main point of contention is the shift in power from the Legislature to the voters for choosing three major constitutional officers. Supporters likely view the change as increasing democratic accountability and public control over offices that have statewide significance, while opponents appear concerned about altering long-standing legislative appointment authority and the structure of constitutional offices. The Attorney General position may be especially sensitive because it is a high-profile legal office with broad influence over state government, and the inclusion of the Secretary of State and Treasurer of State expands the scope of the institutional change.