Read the full report | Almost fifteen years ago, Maine’s legislative term limits law was enacted as a result of a citizen’s initiative measure that won the support of 68 percent of Maine voters. In the years since, legislators have introduced countless bills to either amend or eliminate those term limits. This spring, the Maine House of Representatives and Senate finally approved a bill, LD 1928, that put the question of lengthening legislative term limits before Maine voters. As a result, question five on the November 6 ballot will ask voters to extend term limits from the current four consecutive terms (eight years) to six terms (twelve years).
Before contemplating changes to the law, which in 1993 was one of the first legislative term-limiting provisions in the nation, it is important to understand how Maine’s term limits law works.
The Maine Heritage Policy Center
