Maine Term Limits Extension (2007)
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Maine Question Five is a ballot question that appeared on Maine's November 6, 2007 general election ballot. The state legislature voted to place this issue before the state's voters.
The measure was an attempt to lessen term limits on Maine's state legislators. It was defeated with 82,874 votes (33%) for the measure and 167,135 votes (67%) against it.
In 1993, the voters of Maine approved a citizen initiative that limited legislators to four consecutive, two-year terms in either the House or Senate. If the voters of Maine had approved Question Five, those terms would have been extended from eight to twelve years. (from 4 terms of two years to 6 terms of two years)
The bill to refer Question 5 to the ballot was LD 1928, and was "Passed to be Enacted" and signed by Governor John E. Baldacci on June 29, 2007.
The question on the ballot was:
- "Do you favor extending term limits for Legislators from 4 to 6 terms?"
Proponents
- The legislature
- Maine League of Women Voters
Arguments for
The arguments of those in favor of lessening Term limits on elected officals can be summed up as follows:
- The longer someone is in office, the better they become at performing their duties.
- Frequent change in office-holders results in an imbalance of power
These arguments are fleshed out by Former Maine Senator Beverly Daggett here: Effects of term limits in Maine: more power to the executive branch.
Opponents
The organization No More Than 4 is opposed to extending legislative terms beyond the four years currently permitted. They are chiefly funded by U.S. Term Limits. They registered as a PAC on 7/18/07. The principals of No More Than Four include former Senate President Richard Bennett, activist Roy Lenardson and lawyer Dan Billings.
Arguments against
The arguments in favor of not decreasing the current term limitations can be summarized as follows:
- Frequent turnover results in elected officials with fresh ideas.
- Opportunities for corruption are lessened the shorter the term.
- Shorter terms encourage citizens to take a larger role in the government than they might otherwise, lessening the influence of those that seek public office as a career.
- Citizens need more control over their government.
- Maine citizens have already made it clear that they are in favor of limiting terms. [1]
"Billings said term limits have led to more competitive elections and brought more people with diverse backgrounds to the Statehouse"[2]
See also
- Term limits in Maine
- Term limit extension to face voters next month article from 10/02/07 in the Kennebec Journal.
- The West End News blog posting from 9/28/07.
- Term limits repeal to face St. George voters from Maine Coast Now on 9/19/07.
- The November ballot and term limits from House Democrats on 8/17/07.
- As Maine Goes a forum discussion of Dan Billings and the PAC formation begun on 8/11/07.
- PAC Forms to Oppose Term Limit Change from The Lincoln County News on 8/8/07.
- Maine Pols Find Polls a Bane commentary from Paul Jacob's Common Sense.
- Maine Ballot Measures for November 2007
External links
References
- ↑ Votes on Initiated Bills, see 1993, 1994 and 1996
- ↑ Term limit extension to face voters next month
