The Maine Legislature reconvened for a Special Session on October 23 to address several issues that had arisen since adjournment in August. The Legislature found bipartisan fixes to a “food sovereignty” law, ensuring that local farms will have the ability to continue selling their goods without violating federal law, and an oversight in the budget to restore funding to the Office of Geographical Information Systems, which produces important data for towns and business.
The Legislature also addressed two of the referenda that were approved by Maine voters last fall: marijuana legalization and ranked choice voting, a voting system that empowers voters with more voice and more choice and ensures that candidates who are opposed by a majority can never win.
Citizen’s initiatives are actual pieces of legislation that are considered by voters. They are not suggestions or recommendations to the Maine Legislature for its consideration. On Election Day 2016, when you cast your ballot either in favor or against the questions of marijuana legalization and ranked choice voting, it was just as if you were sitting in my desk in the Maine House and pushing either the green button to vote “yes” or red button to vote “no” on a bill up for a floor vote.
Not only are you a “legislator for the day” when you vote on referenda, but your power to exercise this right derives from Maine’s Constitution, which guarantees that the people, not the politicians, have the final say.
That’s why I strongly believe that the Maine Legislature and Governor must respect the will of the people on referenda and make these voter-approved laws work for the Maine people.
I am frustrated and concerned by the Governor’s opposition to a bipartisan solution to implement marijuana legalization, and the refusal of some lawmakers of both parties to vote with me and a majority of lawmakers to override the veto.
I am also frustrated by opposition to the common sense fix to bring Maine’s Ranked Choice Voting law into constitutional compliance. The Governor and Republican lawmakers were unanimous in their support for repeal of the entire voter-approved law. Enough Democrats in the Senate and House joined them to kill this voter-approved election reform.
There are times when problems arise with voter-approved referendum questions. For example, sometimes the language of the new law conflicts with other laws on the books, or it provides loopholes that need to be closed. As a lawmaker, I believe we have a duty to ensure that any new laws passed by voters are well written and enforceable. However, I do not believe that we should be repealing voter-approved laws in their entirety or refusing to implement them. We should amend the laws to make them work while recognizing the spirit in which they were passed.
Free and fair elections in which every citizen has the opportunity to cast a ballot are fundamental to American democracy. When voters approve – or disapprove – of a policy, I believe it is important to recognize and honor that vote. Whether I, as a legislator, agree or disagree with the policy is irrelevant. Recognizing and respecting the outcome of a vote of the people is paramount. This recognition and respect ensures that citizens maintain the trust and faith in our elections and democratic process that is so fundamental to our democracy.
Over the last few months, there have been many conversations about the Maine Legislature undoing referenda questions. I wanted you to know where I stood on this issue. Legislators have an obligation to implement and make voter-approved referendum questions work for Maine people. Moving forward, I will continue to support voter-approved referenda in the Maine Legislature, including the referenda approved last week.
As always, I appreciate hearing your thoughts and concerns about state government. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
(207) 939-8482 | (800) 423-2900 | andrew.mclean@legislature.maine.gov