Public Comment

Proposed Initiative Ballot Question - Public Comment

Notice of Public Comment Period: Friday, May 22, 2020 through Monday, June 22, 2020

A Direct Initiative of Legislation (Citizens? Initiative) has qualified to appear on the ballot at the November 3, 2020 Referendum Election. Under the provisions of Maine?s Constitution, the Secretary of State is responsible for preparing the ballots for direct initiatives ?in such form as to present the question or questions concisely and intelligibly.?

Below is the Secretary of State?s proposed ballot question for the initiative:

TITLE: Resolve, To Reject the New England Clean Energy Connect Transmission Project

PROPOSED QUESTION: ?Do you want to adopt a Resolve directing the Maine Public Utilities Commission to reverse its approval of the proposed New England Clean Energy Connect power transmission line??

Maine law, Title 21-A, 905-A, requires that the Secretary of State provide a 30-day public comment period for the purpose of receiving comments on the content and form of proposed questions to be placed on the ballot for any pending initiatives.

Comments supporting or opposing the citizen initiative will not be considered; this 30-day period is to receive comments only on the ballot question itself, and whether the question presents an accurate and clear representation of the proposed resolve. View the full text of the resolve here.

Public comments must be received by the Secretary of State prior to the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on Monday, June 22, 2020.

Written comments may be filed with the Secretary of State in the following ways:

  • By email at sos.office@maine.gov; use subject line ?Public Comment.?
  • By mail at Secretary of State, Attn: Public Comment, 148 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0148; or
  • By hand delivery at: Office of the Secretary of State, Nash School Building, 103 Sewall St., 2nd Floor, Augusta, Maine.