Maine Civics: How Your State Government Works

by bam

A practical, non-partisan guide to how the state of Maine governs itself, and how you take part where you live. You'll learn Maine's Constitution of 1820 (when Maine separated from Massachusetts); why the Governor is the ONLY official Mainers elect statewide, while the Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Treasurer are chosen BY THE LEGISLATURE; that Maine was the FIRST state to adopt ranked-choice voting; its strong direct democracy (the citizen initiative and the 'people's veto'); how Maine appoints (not elects) its judges; and its New England traditions of town meeting and 16 counties. It also notes that Maine, with Nebraska, splits its presidential electoral votes by district. Time-sensitive facts are flagged, pointing to maine.gov/sos. Cited to Maine's own official sources (legislature.maine.gov, maine.gov/sos, courts.maine.gov).