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Bill > LD749


ME LD749

ME LD749
An Act to Ensure That the Will of the Voters Is Reflected in Interim Appointments of United States Senators


summary

Introduced
02/25/2025
In Committee
02/25/2025
Crossed Over
04/29/2025
Passed
Dead
06/25/2025

Introduced Session

132nd Legislature

Bill Summary

This bill provides that if there is a vacancy in the office of United States Senator and the person who vacated the office was enrolled in a political party at the time of that person's last election to that office, the qualified person appointed to fill the vacancy must have been enrolled in that party at the time of the most recent election and at the time the office was vacated and must be enrolled in that party at the time the qualified person is appointed. If the person who vacated the office was not enrolled in a political party at the time of that person's last election to that office, the qualified person appointed to fill the vacancy may not have been enrolled in a political party at the time of the most recent election and at the time the office was vacated and may not be enrolled in a political party at the time the qualified person is appointed.

AI Summary

This bill modifies Maine state law regarding interim appointments to fill U.S. Senator vacancies, ensuring that the political affiliation of the appointed replacement matches the political affiliation of the departing senator. Specifically, if a senator who vacates their office was a member of a political party at the time of their last election, the interim appointee must also be a member of that same political party at the time of their appointment, during the most recent election, and at the time the office became vacant. Conversely, if the departing senator was not affiliated with any political party, the interim appointee cannot be affiliated with any political party during the same periods. The bill aims to preserve the political representation that voters initially chose when electing the original senator, effectively preventing the governor from appointing an interim senator from a different political party. This provision is designed to maintain the political intent of the electorate in the event of a mid-term Senate vacancy and limit potential political manipulation of interim appointments.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (10)

Last Action

Died in Possession of the Senate when the Legislature adjourned Sine Die and was PLACED IN THE LEGISLATIVE FILES. (DEAD) (on 06/25/2025)

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