JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING APPLICATION TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES CALLING A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION TO PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE
WHEREAS, United States Supreme Court rulings, beginning with Buckley v. Valeo and continuing through Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission and others, disproportionately elevate the role of wealthy special interests in elections and diminish the voices and influence of ordinary Americans; and
WHEREAS, residents of the State wish to develop effective tools for self-governance, including strong laws governing elections and campaign finance; and
WHEREAS, the current legal landscape severely constrains the range of options available to citizens, frustrating efforts to reduce the influence of moneyed interests in elections and in government; and
WHEREAS, under the United States Constitution, Article V, the Congress of the United States, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to the United States Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments that, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the United States Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress; and
WHEREAS, we believe action on an amendment to the United States Constitution regarding campaign finance that would reaffirm the power of citizens through their government to regulate the raising and spending of money in elections to be vital; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the Legislature of Maine respectfully applies to the Congress of the United States to call a convention for the specific and exclusive purpose of proposing an amendment to the United States Constitution to resolve the issue of campaign finance; and be it further
RESOLVED: That this application by this body constitutes a continuing application in accordance with the United States Constitution, Article V until at least two-thirds of the legislatures of the several states have made similar application pursuant to Article V but, if Congress proposes an amendment to the United States Constitution identical in subject matter to that contained in this Joint Resolution, this application for a constitutional convention is no longer of any force or effect; and be it further
RESOLVED: That this application is void, rescinded and of no effect in the event that such a convention is not limited to such a specific and exclusive purpose; and be it further
RESOLVED: That this body proposes that the legislatures of each of the several states comprising the United States apply to the Congress requesting the enactment of an appropriate amendment to the United States Constitution or requiring the Congress to call a constitutional convention for proposing such an amendment to the United States Constitution; and be it further
RESOLVED: That suitable copies of this resolution, duly authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to the Secretary of the Senate and presiding officers of both houses of the legislature of each of the several states in the nation, the Speaker and the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, the President and the Secretary of the United States Senate and each member of the Maine Congressional Delegation.