Priority Legislation
In the first half of the 131st legislative session (from January — July 2023), we followed over 120 pieces of legislation, and it was a whirlwind.
The second half began on January 3, 2024 and is expected to run until mid-April.
Priority issues for the 131st in 2024:
- National Popular Vote: This bill will guarantee the Presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The bill takes effect when enacted by states possessing a majority of the electoral votes.
- Tribal Sovereignty: This legislation implements recommendations from the 2020 task force examining the Maine Indian Land Claims Settlement, to ensure that the Wabanaki Nations in Maine can enjoy the same benefits as all other federally-recognized tribes in the United States.
- Gun Safety Reform: Following the tragic mass shooting in Lewiston, the League issued a statement condemning gun violence. We're taking action and including gun safety legislation as a major piece of our advocacy priorities. We're showing up at rallies and planning to testify in Augusta on common sense gun reforms that Maine needs to prevent future tragedies.
Getting Started in Advocacy Work:
Help, how does a bill become real law? It's a new legislative session here in Maine, which means some of us may need a refresher on how a bill becomes reality. We've got you covered. Click here to read the quick version.
Who's my legislator? Sometimes we forget the names of our elected officials. No shame there. Use the Maine Voter Lookup Service to find all the names and contact information for your people.
Where do our bills go? The bills that the League works on appear before the State and Local Government (SLG) and Veterans and Legal Affairs (VLA) Committees. If you read Under the Dome often, you'll be familiar with the SLG and VLA acronyms. Would you like to see which legislators are on these committees? Check them out here: SLG and VLA.
Where can I see the bills? When you want to look up a bill, you can use this search feature. The League also provides bill tracking on our website, but only for bills specific to our priority areas.
How do I write and submit testimony? Public hearings are the time for everyone to offer their opinion on the legislation through testimony. It's an important step in the process. Click here to learn how you can use your voice to take action.
Working together:
Democracy Maine was the founding convener of Mainers for Modern Elections and remains a leader within that coalition. Mainers for Modern Elections is a coalition that is committed to ensuring that our right to vote safely transcends politics and partisanship. We advocate for safe, secure, modern elections. Our coalition is committed to securing equitable access to the ballot for every eligible Maine voter.
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Related links:
Bill Tracker
Volunteers and staff from the League of Women Voters of Maine testify on our bills and bills which fit within our advocacy priorities. To see what bills we have testified on during the 131st Legislature, view our testimony on priority issues:
Money in Politics
Elections and Voting
Racial Justice
Data Privacy
Gun Safety
Archive of our testimony:
130th Legislature 2021-2022
129th Legislature 2019-2020
128th Legislature 2017-2018
127th Legislature 2015-2016
126th Legislature 2013-2014
125th Legislature 2011-2012
124th Legislature 2009-2010
123rd Legislature 2007-2008
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Get Updates
Subscribe to receive updates every Monday about our priority bills, what's happening in the Legislature, and what the League is working on.
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Learn More
How do I write testimony?
Public hearings are the time for everyone to offer their opinion on the legislation through testimony. It's an important step in the process. Here's how you can use your voice to take action.
How does a bill become law?
It's a new legislative session here in Maine, which means some of us may need a refresher on how a bill becomes reality. We've got you covered.
Impact on Issues
Impact on Issues is our most concise record of our advocacy and legislative work from 2007-onward.
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Volunteer
Advocacy volunteers help develop League and MCCE policy positions and strategies , as well as provide public support for policy priorities through testimony and letters to the editor, among other tactics. Advocacy volunteers can also provide administrative support in the form of data entry, or join us at a phone banking event.
If you want to get involved or learn more, please fill out our interest form ! You can also contact us directly at volunteer@democracymaine.org .
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