Maine House of Representatives
| Maine House of Representatives | |
 | |
| General Information | |
| Party control: | Democrat |
| Session start: | January 3, 2024 |
| Session end: | April 17, 2024 |
| Term length: | 2 years |
| Term limits: | 4 terms (8 years) |
| Redistricting: | Legislature-dominant |
| Salary: | $16,245.12 for the first regular session. $11,668.32 for the second regular session. + per diem |
| Members | |
| Total: | 151 |
| Democrats: | 79 |
| Republicans: | 67 |
| Other: | 1 (independent) 0 (Independent for Maine) 0 (Libertarian) |
| Vacancies: | 3 |
| Leadership | |
| Speaker: | Rachel Ross (D) |
| Maj. Leader: | Maureen Terry (D) |
| Min. Leader: | Billy Bob Faulkingham (R) |
| Elections | |
| Last election: | November 8, 2022 |
| Next election: | November 5, 2024 |
The Maine House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Maine State Legislature. Alongside the Maine State Senate, it forms the legislative branch of the Maine state government and works alongside the governor of Maine to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Maine House of Representatives include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.
The Maine House of Representatives meets in the State House in Augusta, Maine.
Maine has a Democratic trifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature. |
This page contains the following information on the Maine House of Representatives.
- Which party controls the chamber
- The chamber's current membership
- Partisan control of the chamber over time
- Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
- A district map
- How redistricting works in the state
- Legislation currently under consideration
- Legislative session dates
- Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
- A list of committees
Party control
Current partisan control
The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Maine House of Representatives as of November 2024:
| Party | As of November 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 79 | |
| Republican Party | 67 | |
| Independent | 1 | |
| Independent for Maine Party | 1 | |
| Libertarian Party | 0 | |
| Vacancy | 3 | |
| Total | 151[1] | |
Members
Leadership
The speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the body. Duties of the speaker include preserving order and decorum, deciding all questions of order, and appointing all committee members.[2][3]
Leadership and members
- House speaker: Rachel Ross (D)
- Majority leader: Maureen Terry (D)
- Minority leader: Billy Bob Faulkingham (R)
padding-left: 10px !important; padding-right: 10px !important;
} } .partytd.Democratic { background-color: #003388; color: white; text-align: center; } .partytd.Republican { background-color: #db0000; color: white; text-align: center; } .partytd.Libertarian { background-color: #fdd007; text-align: center; } .partytd.Green { background-color: #6db24f; color: white; text-align: center; } .partytd.Gray { text-align: center; } .bptable.gray th { background:#4c4c4c;color:#fff; }
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[4] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $16,245.12 for the first regular session. $11,668.32 for the second regular session. | $70/day for lodging (or round-trip mileage up to $0.55/mile in lieu of housing, plus tolls). $50/day for meals. |
Swearing in dates
Maine legislators assume office on the first Wednesday of December following the general election.[5][6]
Membership qualifications
Section 4 of Part 1 of Article 4 of the Maine Constitution states, "Qualifications; residency requirement. No person shall be a member of the House of Representatives, unless the person shall, at the commencement of the period for which the person is elected, have been 5 years a citizen of the United States, have arrived at the age of 21 years, have been a resident in this State one year; and for the 3 months next preceding the time of this person's election shall have been, and, during the period for which elected, shall continue to be a resident in the district which that person represents.
No person may be a candidate for election as a member of the House of Representatives unless, at the time of the nomination for placement on a primary, general or special election ballot, that person is a resident in the district which the candidate seeks to represent."[7]
Historical party control
Democrats won control of the Maine House of Representatives in 2012. In 2022, they won an 82-67-2 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Maine House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Maine House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 90 | 77 | 81 | 79 | 88 | 80 | 76 | 89 | 96 | 72 | 86 | 79 | 77 | 89 | 80 | 82 |
| Republicans | 61 | 74 | 69 | 71 | 63 | 67 | 73 | 60 | 54 | 78 | 61 | 68 | 72 | 57 | 67 | 67 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
Trifecta history
A state government trifecta is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Maine was under the following types of trifecta control:
- Democratic trifecta: 2003-2010, 2019-2023
- Republican trifecta: 2011-2012
- Divided government: 1992-2002, 2013-2018
Maine Party Control: 1992-2024
Fourteen years of Democratic trifectas • Two years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.
| Year | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | R | R | R | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| Senate | D | D | D | R | R | D | D | D | D | S | S | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | D | D | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| House | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
Elections
Elections by year
Maine state representatives serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. Maine holds elections for its legislature in even years.
2026
Elections for the Maine House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.
2024
Elections for the Maine House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was June 11, 2024. The filing deadline was March 15, 2024.
2022
Elections for the Maine House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 14, 2022. The filing deadline was March 15, 2022.
In the 2022 general election, the Democratic Party expanded its majority by five seats.
| Maine House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 8, 2022 | After November 9, 2022 | |
| Democratic Party | 77 | 82 | |
| Republican Party | 63 | 67 | |
| Independent | 2 | 1 | |
| Independent for Maine Party | 1 | 1 | |
| Vacancy | 8 | 0 | |
| Total | 151 | 151 | |
2020
Elections for the office of Maine House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for July 14, 2020. The filing deadline was March 16, 2020.
In the 2020 elections, Democrats held a majority in the Maine House of Representatives from 87-56 to 80-67.
| Maine House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 3, 2020 | After November 4, 2020 | |
| Democratic Party | 87 | 80 | |
| Republican Party | 56 | 67 | |
| Independent | 5 | 4 | |
| Common Sense Independent | 1 | 0 | |
| Vacancy | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 151 | 151 | |
2018
Elections for the Maine House of Representatives took place in 2018. The closed primary election took place on June 12, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was March 15, 2018.[8]
In the 2018 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Maine House of Representatives from 73-70 to 89-57.
| Maine House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 6, 2018 | After November 7, 2018 | |
| Democratic Party | 73 | 89 | |
| Republican Party | 70 | 57 | |
| Independent | 7 | 5 | |
| Vacancy | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 151 | 151 | |
2016
Elections for the Maine House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 14, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 15, 2016.[9] All 151 seats in the Maine House of Representatives were up for election in 2016.
Heading into the election, Democrats held a 78-69 majority with three independent members and one unenrolled member. Democrats lost one seat in the election, giving them a 77-72 majority with two independent members.
| Maine House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 7, 2016 | After November 8, 2016 | |
| Democratic Party | 78 | 77 | |
| Republican Party | 69 | 72 | |
| Independent | 3 | 2 | |
| Unenrolled | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 151 | 151 | |
| Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014Elections for the Maine House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 10, 2014, and a general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for party candidates wishing to run in this election was March 17, 2014. The deadline for write-in candidates to run in the primary election was April 28, 2014, and the deadline for non-party candidates to run in the general election was June 2, 2014. The deadline for write-in candidates to run in the general election was September 22, 2014. Heading into the election, Democrats held an 88-57 majority with four independent members, three non-voting members, and two vacancies. Democrats lost nine seats in the election, giving them a 79-68 majority with four independent members and three non-voting members.
2012Elections for the office of Maine House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 12, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 15, 2012. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 77-71 majority with one independent member, two non-voting members, and two vacancies. Republicans lost 16 seats in the election, giving Democrats an 86-61 majority with four independent members and two non-voting members.
The table below details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election in 2012.
2010Elections for the office of Maine House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on June 8, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 15, 2010, for partisan candidates and June 1, 2010, for independent and unenrolled candidates. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 94-55 majority with one independent member, two non-voting members, and one vacancy. Democrats lost 22 seats in the election, giving Republicans a 78-72 majority with one independent member and two non-voting members.
In 2010, candidates running for state House raised a total of $1,607,976 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were:[10]
2008Elections for the office of Maine House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on June 10, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $1,712,760. The top 10 contributors were:[11]
2006Elections for the office of Maine House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on June 13, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $2,106,312. The top 10 contributors were:[12]
2004Elections for the office of Maine House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on June 8, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $1,794,005. The top 10 contributors were:[13]
2002Elections for the office of Maine House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on June 11, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $1,466,749. The top 10 contributors were:[14]
2000Elections for the office of Maine House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on June 13, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $1,203,357. The top 10 contributors were:[15]
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Term limits
- See also: State legislatures with term limits
The Maine legislature is one of 16 state legislatures with term limits. Voters enacted the Maine Term Limits Act in 1993. That initiative said that Maine representatives are subject to term limits of no more than four two-year terms, or a total of eight years.
The first year that the term limits enacted in 1993 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was in 1996.[16]
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Maine State Legislature, a special election must be held to fill the vacant seat.[17][18] The governor must call for an election and inform political committees of the nomination deadline.[19][17][18] The person elected to the seat serves for the remainder of the unexpired term.[20]
See sources: Maine Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 21-A, § 382 Maine Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 21-A, §366 and Maine Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 21-A, § 381
District map
- See also: Maine state legislative districts
The state of Maine has 186 legislative districts. Each district elects one representative. The state Senate has 35 districts and the state House has 151 districts. Three Native American tribes, the Penobscot Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, are allocated one non-voting member each in the House.[21]
Use the interactive map below to find your district.
Redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in Maine
In Maine, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the state legislature. An advisory commission is also involved in the process. A two-thirds majority is required to approve new district maps, which are subject to veto by the governor.[22]
The composition of the 15-member advisory redistricting commission is as follows:[22]
- The majority and minority leaders of the Maine State Senate each select two commissioners.
- The majority and minority leaders of the Maine House of Representatives each appoint three commissioners.
- The chairs of the state's two major political parties (i.e., the Republican and Democratic parties) each appoint one member.
- The aforementioned 12 commissioners appoint two more members from the public, "with each party's representatives coordinating to choose one commissioner."
- The two public commissioners appoint one additional member.
This commission may make recommendations to the state legislature regarding redistricting, but the legislature is not bound to abide by the commission's recommendations. If the state legislature is unable to pass a redistricting plan, the responsibility falls to the Maine Supreme Court.[22]
State statutes require that congressional districts be compact and contiguous, In addition, state laws require that congressional districts "cross political subdivision lines as few times as possible."[22]
The Maine Constitution mandates that state legislative districts be "compact and contiguous, and that they cross political subdivision lines as few times as possible."[22]
2020
On September 29, 2021, Gov. Janet Mills (D) signed legislation enacting redrawn state legislative district boundaries. The Maine Apportionment Commission approved final maps and submitted them to the legislature on September 27, 2021. The Maine Senate unanimously approved both maps by a vote of 31-0. The Maine House of Representatives approved new district boundaries for the state Senate by a vote of 129-0 and new state House district boundaries by a vote of 119-10.[23] These maps took effect for Maine’s 2022 legislative elections.
The Maine Wire reported, "The legislature made no changes to the maps the Apportionment Commission submitted, but some legislators did express dissatisfaction with the way districts had been drawn."[24] Some lawmakers objected to changes made to the composition of their districts, such as Ben Collings (D). After the plans were approved, Collings said, "“I did my best to work with the [apportionment] committee and use the process to make those changes.” “Unfortunately that did not come together for the district I represent.”[23]
District map before and after 2020 redistricting
Below is the state House map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle.
Maine State House Districts
until December 6, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Maine State House Districts
starting December 7, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
2010
On May 23, 2013, the advisory redistricting commission submitted its recommendation for new state Senate districts. A recommendation for new state House districts followed on May 24, 2013. The legislature approved a version of the commission's recommended plan on June 5, 2013. The new maps were signed into law by the governor on June 14, 2013.[22]
Sessions
Legislation
The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Maine House of Representatives has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by the House and signed by the governor after its passage in the Senate. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.
Dates of legislative sessions in Maine by year
2024
In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 3, 2024, and adjourn on April 17, 2024.
2023
In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on December 7, 2022, and adjourn on March 30, 2023.
| Click [show] for past years' session dates. | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 5, 2022, and adjourn on May 9, 2022. 2021In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on December 2, 2020, and adjourn on March 30, 2021. 2020In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, 2020, and adjourn on March 17, 2020.
Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. The Maine State Legislature adjourned its session early, effective March 17, 2020, in response to the coronavirus pandemic.[25] 2019In 2019, the legislature was in session from December 5, 2018, through June 19, 2019. 2018In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 3, 2018, through May 2, 2018**. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here. 2017
In 2017, the legislature was in session from December 7, 2016, through July 4, 2017. The legislature reconvened on July 20, 2017, to override vetoes and other unfinished business. The legislature held a veto session on August 2, 2017. The Legislature held a special session on October 23 over a food sovereignty law and funding for the state mapping agency. The Legislature met in special session on November 6 over Gov. LePage's veto of a bill that would legalize the sale of recreational marijuana. The House did not have enough votes to override the veto.
2016
In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 6 through April 20. A one-day veto session was held on April 29. 2015
In 2015, the legislature was in session from December 3, 2014, through July 16, 2015 (extended session). Major issues in 2015Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included the state economy, government financial aid, and energy policy.[30] 2014
In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 8 through May 2. Major issues in 2014Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included Medicaid expansion vetoed by Gov. Paul LePage (R) during the last session and government financial aid.[31] 2013
In 2013, the legislature was in session from December 5, 2012, to July 10, 2013. Major issues in 2013Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included addressing education, energy, domestic violence, jobs, strengthening the state's economy, and a new two-year budget that was facing a $128 million deficit.[32] Election of constitutional officersThe Maine House of Representatives voted 79-59 on June 4 to reject a proposal to allow voters to select the state’s Treasurer, Secretary of State, and Attorney General. LD 1279 called for a referendum to amend the Maine State Constitution to shift the selection of these officers from the Legislature to voters.[33] The bill sponsored by Representative Andre Cushing (R) called for two-year terms for the Treasurer and Secretary of State and a four-year term for the Attorney General. At the time, legislators selected all three officers every two years. This legislation was blocked on June 3 by the Maine State Senate 18-16.[34] The House and Senate votes largely followed party lines with Democratic majorities in both houses. Republican majorities in the House and Senate blocked similar legislation in 2011.[35][36] 2012
In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 4 through May 31. Major issues in 2012Lawmakers faced a $221 million budget deficit. They also looked to restructure the state Medicaid system, reduce energy costs, and improve charter schools.[37] 2011
In 2011, the legislature was in session from December 1, 2010, to June 28, 2011. Maine statutes required the legislature to adjourn by June 15, however, pursuant to Joint Order S.P. 520, the regular session was extended.[38] On June 16, Governor Paul LePage ordered lawmakers home for 12 days, only to return to the statehouse for a special veto session to begin June 28.[39] The GOP legislature and Republican Governor Paul LePage agreed on a fiscal year 2012 budget late in the session, with LePage signing the final bill on June 20. The final deal cut taxes by $150 million, lowering the top income tax rate from 8.5% to 7.95% and taking 70,000 low-income citizens off the income tax rolls entirely. Dirigo Health, an "experiment in near-universal health care," would be phased out entirely by the beginning of 2014. LePage's first budget also cut government financial aid programs including benefits for legal noncitizens and limited participation in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to five years.[40] 2010
In 2010, the legislature was in session from January 6 to April 12. |
About legislative sessions in Maine
The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.[41] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.
Article IV, Part Third of the Maine Constitution establishes when the Maine State Legislature, of which the House of Representatives is a part, is to be in session. Section 1 of the Part states that, following a legislative election, the Legislature is to convene its first regular session on the first Wednesday of December. The second regular session of the legislature is to convene in the next even-numbered year. This second session is to convene on the first Wednesday after the first Tuesday in January. Section 1 also instructs the Legislature to enact statutory limits on the length of its regular sessions.
Section 1 also establishes the procedures for convening special sessions of the Legislature. A special session can be convened by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House, with the consent of a majority of legislators from each political party.[42]
Legislative roles and procedures
Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, the role of the legislature in the state budget, term limits, procedures for filling membership vacancies, and redistricting.
Veto overrides
- See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures
State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Maine are listed below.
How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members present in both chambers.
| Two-thirds of members present in both chambers must vote to override a veto. If all members are in attendance, this is 101 of the 151 members in the Maine House of Representatives and 24 of the 35 members in the Maine State Senate. Maine is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto. |
Authority: Article IV, Part Third, Section 2 of the Maine Constitution.
| "Every bill or resolution, having the force of law, to which the concurrence of both Houses may be necessary, except on a question of adjournment, which shall have passed both Houses, shall be presented to the Governor, and if the Governor approves, the Governor shall sign it; if not, the Governor shall return it with objections to the House in which it shall have originated, which shall enter the objections at large on its journals, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such reconsideration, 2/3 of that House shall agree to pass it, it shall be sent together with the objections, to the other House, by which it shall be reconsidered, and, if approved by 2/3 of that House, it shall have the same effect as if it had been signed by the Governor; but in all such cases, the votes of both Houses shall be taken by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons, voting for and against the bill or resolution, shall be entered on the journals of both Houses respectively." |
Role in state budget
- See also: Maine state budget and finances
Maine on 
|
The state operates on a biennial budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[43]
- Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in July of the year preceding the start of the new biennium.
- State agencies submit their budget requests by September 1.
- The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature in January. This deadline is extended to February for a newly elected governor.
- The legislature adopts a budget by 30 days prior to its adjournment. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The biennium begins on July 1.
Maine is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[43][44]
The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the state legislature is legally required to pass a balanced budget.[43]
Committees
Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.
- Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
- Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
- Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.
Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Maine House of Representatives has six standing committees:
Constitutional amendments
In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.
The methods in which the Maine Constitution can be amended:
The Maine Constitution may be amended in two ways—through the legislative process, or a state constitutional convention. Maine residents cannot put a constitutional amendment on the ballot through the power of initiative. Maine does feature the power of initiative for initiated state statutes.
Legislature
A two-thirds majority (66.67%) vote is required during one legislative session for the Maine State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 101 votes in the Maine House of Representatives and 24 votes in the Maine State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Convention
According to Section 15 of Part III of Article IV, the legislature can, by a two-thirds concurrent vote of both branches, call a constitutional convention. Maine has never called such a convention; however, two "constitutional commissions" were impaneled, one in 1876 and one in 1962, but neither led to significant changes.
2025 measures:
- See also: Maine 2025 ballot measures
Certified:
- The following measures were certified for the ballot.
No measures to list
2024 measures:
Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2024 ballot by the legislature.
- See also: Maine 2024 ballot measures
Certified:
- The following measures were certified for the ballot.
| Maine Development and Maintenance of Trails Bond Issue | Democrats | Republicans | |||
| Senate: | Required: | Yes votes: (%) | No votes: (%) | Yes: ; No: | Yes: ; No: |
| House: | Required: | Yes votes: (%) | No votes: (%) | Yes: ; No: | Yes: ; No: |
| Maine Science and Technology Research and Commercialization Bond Issue | Democrats | Republicans | |||
| Senate: | Required: | Yes votes: (%) | No votes: (%) | Yes: ; No: | Yes: ; No: |
| House: | Required: | Yes votes: (%) | No votes: (%) | Yes: ; No: | Yes: ; No: |
| Maine Historic Community Buildings Bond Issue | Democrats | Republicans | |||
| Senate: | Required: | Yes votes: (%) | No votes: (%) | Yes: ; No: | Yes: ; No: |
| House: | Required: | Yes votes: (%) | No votes: (%) | Yes: ; No: | Yes: ; No: |
See also
| Elections | Maine State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Excludes three nonvoting members representing the Penobscot Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians.
- ↑ Maine Legislature, "House Rules," accessed February 11, 2021 (Referenced Part 2 - Speaker)
- ↑ Maine House of Representatives, "House Leadership," accessed February 11, 2021
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Maine Constitution, "Article IV. Part First., Section 2," accessed November 1, 2021
- ↑ Maine Constitution, "Article IV. Part Second., Section 5," accessed November 1, 2021
- ↑ Maine State Constitution, "Article IV," accessed February 10, 2023
- ↑ Maine.gov, "Upcoming Elections," accessed December 22, 2017
- ↑ Politics1.com, "Maine," archived December 31, 2015
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Maine 2010 - Candidates," accessed August 19, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Maine 2008 - Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Maine 2006 - Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Maine 2004 - Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Maine 2002 - Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Maine 2000 - Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
- ↑ ncsl.org, "Chart of Term Limits States," accessed February 11, 2021
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Maine Legislature, "Maine Revised Statutes," accessed February 11, 2021 (Statute 21A-381)
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Maine Legislature, "Maine Revised Statutes," accessed February 11, 2021 (Statute 21A-382)
- ↑ Maine Legislature, "Constitution of the State of Maine," accessed February 11, 2021 (Article IV, Section 5)
- ↑ Maine Legislature, "Maine Revised Statutes," accessed February 11, 2021 (Statute 21A-361)
- ↑ Maine State Legislature, "Brief History of Indian Legislative Representatives," accessed February 11, 2021
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 All About Redistricting, "Maine," accessed April 30, 2015
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Bangor Daily News, "Thousands of Mainers to shift to new congressional districts," September 29, 2021
- ↑ Maine Wire, "Maine Legislature accepts new redistricting plans, approves legal action on federal lobster rules," September 29, 2021
- ↑ Bangor Daily News, "A busy two days are coming in Augusta. Maine’s coronavirus response will be the topic." March 16, 2020
- ↑ pressherald.com, "New state budget sends more money to public schools in Maine," July 5, 2017
- ↑ pressherald.com, "State workers bracing for worst as threat of a shutdown looms," June 22, 2017
- ↑ pressherald.com, "Legislature votes to extend session to try to resolve budget impasse," June 21, 2017
- ↑ Press Herald, "As session ends, Legislature overrides LePage veto, raising legal age for tobacco to 21," August 2, 2017
- ↑ Maine Public Broadcasting, "Maine Democrats and Republicans Lay out Priorities for Upcoming Legislative Session," December 23, 2014
- ↑ Maine State Legislature, "126th Legislature: 2012 - 2014," accessed February 11, 2021
- ↑ Maine Legislature, "126th Legislature: 2012 - 2014," accessed February 11, 2021
- ↑ Legislative Information Office, "LD 1279," accessed February 11, 2021
- ↑ CentralMaine.com, "Maine House vote kills bill to elect top state officials," June 4, 2013
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedBangor - ↑ Maine State Legislature, "Proposed Constitutional Legislation 1820 -," accessed February 11, 2021
- ↑ Bangor Daily News, "Maine lawmakers return Wednesday for 2012 session," January 3, 2012
- ↑ Maine.gov, 125th Legislature Session Schedule, accessed February 11, 2021
- ↑ Bangor Daily News, State lawmakers headed home but only for 12 days, June 16, 2011
- ↑ Stateline, "Conservative budget becomes law in all-GOP Maine," June 21, 2011 (Archived)
- ↑ Find Law, "Tenth Amendment - U.S. Constitution," accessed February 11, 2021
- ↑ Maine State Constitution, "Article IV," accessed February 11, 2021
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
| |||||||||||
|
State of Maine Augusta (capital) |
|---|---|
| Elections |
What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2024 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures |
| Government |
Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy |
