A Republican lawmaker has proposed amending Maine’s constitution to clearly state that only United States citizens may vote in state and local elections.
Earlier this month, Rep. Laurel Libby (R-Auburn) introduced LD 175, titled Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Ensure That Only Citizens of the United States May Participate in Elections.
If approved, this resolution would allow Mainers to decide if they wanted to amend the state’s constitution to include language specifying that only U.S. citizens have the right to participate in state and local elections.
This would replace the constitution’s existing wording, which states that “every” citizen of the United States residing in Maine over the age of 18 years enjoys this right. Rep. Libby’s bill would advance a ballot question asking voters if they favor changing the language “specify only citizens of the United States” are eligible to vote.
Amending Maine’s Constitution, however, is not an easy task. In order to advance an amendment, at least two-thirds of the members in both the House and Senate must vote in support of the proposal.
Most kinds of legislation can be passed with just a simple majority, and today proposals are often advanced with only partisan, or nearly partisan, support.
Given this, the bar for constitutional amendments is set exceptionally high, especially in the current political climate.
Should an amendment ultimately gain enough support in the Legislature, it is then sent to voters for final ratification.
Despite the tough standards for amending Maine’s Constitution, there is extensive precedent for making such changes.
As of November 2023, 117 amendments to Maine’s Constitution had been approved, with the first being ratified in 1834.
Most recently, voters ratified two amendments in the November 2023 election. Both amendments, however, were largely administrative in nature, making them substantially less divisive than many policy-heavy proposals.
According to Ballotpedia — dubbed the encyclopedia of American politics — fifteen states have banned non-citizens from voting in their constitutions.
These states include Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Wisconsin.
Of these states, about half of these states approved a ballot measure banning non-citizen voting in 2024.
Only a handful of municipalities in California, Maryland, and Vermont, as well as Washington D.C., have passed laws allowing non-citizens to participate in some or all local elections.
In 2022, Portland’s Charter Commission considered a proposal to allow non-citizens to municipal elections and referenda.
According to the final report issued by the Commission, this change was ultimately not recommended because it was unclear whether it would be “a lawful exercise” of the City’s authority since “State law establishes voter qualifications.”
It was also noted that there “could be unintended consequences and impacts upon immigrants who register and vote in municipal elections.”
A public hearing on LD 175 has been scheduled for Monday, February 3 at 2pm in State House Room 437. Testimony may also be submitted online at www.mainelegislature.org/testimony.
Democrats will ever allow it,
Great News .
Laurel Libby understands what the Somalis are doing in Lewiston .
As soon as they get a few more of their fellow illegals to vote , THEY WILL RUN LEWISTON AUBURN .
The ONE state representative that they do already have , is currently sponsoring a bill to make Maine declare an official state holiday to celebrate some “Muslim “ holiday . Look out folks . They are here and they want control .Maybe Maine voters should pass a bill requiring ALL schools in Maine to feed the kids Ham Hoagies , Pulled Pork Sandwiches , and Hot Dogs .
That might make them decide to pull their tent stakes and head south .
GOOD JOB Rep. Libby …..YOU HAVE EARNED MY VOTE .
Great Idea BUT Me thinks this is a tool to use in her run for the Republican Nominee for Gov. next year … A better law would be NO more Refugees , Asylum seekers or “Drifting Illegals ” …
Probably be easier to change the definition of citizen, you know like the democrats did for “gain of function” and “rescission”.
I didn’t realize there were any people who know what the constitution is in Lewiston Auburn .
This one has a brain and a name I can pronounce. I’m voting for HER .
I like the intention but changing “every” to “only” with a 2/3rd majority is just wishful thinking with the lunatic Lefties in this legislature.
Got my vote!
Are we the people of Maine paying for all of these offices for a Senator that doesn’t have our interests at heart?
This might go over like a lead balloon, but putting masks on Democrats or very unflattering pictures is something The BDN used to do to Governor LePage et al. If you guys want to be legit you might want to consider stopping the practice.
what a waste of time and money. It’s a word game from someone, Libby, trying to get her name out there. Don’t we have MORE important business to tend to ?