Me. Rev. Stat. » Title 21-A
Maine Revised Statutes

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 553 (2026)

Limitations on terms

✓ current as of May 2026
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Notwithstanding any other provision of law, consecutive terms in office are limited as follows.   [IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).]
1.  State Senate.  A person may not serve more than 4 consecutive terms as a state Senator.  
[IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).]
2.  State Representative.  A person may not serve more than 4 consecutive terms as a member of the state House of Representatives.  
[IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).]
3.  Secretary of State.  A person may not serve more than 4 consecutive terms as Secretary of State.  
[IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).]
4.  Treasurer of State.  A person may not serve more than 4 consecutive terms as Treasurer of State.  
[IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).]
5.  Attorney General.  A person may not serve more than 4 consecutive terms as Attorney General.  
[IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).]
6.  State Auditor.  A person may not serve more than 2 consecutive terms as State Auditor.  
[IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).]
This section applies to terms of office that begin on or after December 3, 1996.   [IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW). IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).
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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5 cases, 1996–1997 · leading case: League of Women Voters v. Sec'y of State, 683 A.2d 769 (Me. 1996).
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League of Women Voters v. Sec'y of State, 683 A.2d 769 (Me. 1996). · cites it 4× “21-A M.R.S.A § 553. On February 20,1996, the incumbent legislators, 3 along with representatives of certain groups of voters in the state of Maine 4 and several individual voters, filed a four count complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Maine,…”
League of Women Voters v. Diamond, 923 F. Supp. 266 (D. Me. 1996). · cites it 2× “Retroactivity Title 21-A M.R.SA. § 553 provides for limitations on the consecutive number of terms state senators, representatives, the *274 secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general and state auditor may serve.”
Bates v. Jones, 958 F. Supp. 1446 (N.D. Cal. 1997). “Ill, § 4(E) (three consecutive terms); Maine, Me.Rev.Stat. Ann. tit. 21-A, § 553 (four consecutive terms); Massachusetts, Mass.”
League of Women Voters v. Diamond, 965 F. Supp. 96 (D. Me. 1997). “Count I alleges that the Act violates Maine's Constitution because a limitation on the terms of Maine's law makers cannot be accomplished by citizen initiative or legislation but, rather, requires amendment to the Maine Constitution.”
League of Women Voters v. Diamond, 965 F. Supp. 96 (D. Me. 1997). “See 21-A M.R.S.A. § 553. Plaintiffs’ Complaint contains four counts challenging this new limitation on public service.”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 553(1) — 1 case
League of Women Voters v. Sec'y of State, 683 A.2d 769 (Me. 1996). “21-A M.R.S.A § 553. On February 20,1996, the incumbent legislators, 3 along with representatives of certain groups of voters in the state of Maine 4 and several individual voters, filed a four count complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Maine,…”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 553(2) — 1 case
League of Women Voters v. Sec'y of State, 683 A.2d 769 (Me. 1996). “21-A M.R.S.A § 553. On February 20,1996, the incumbent legislators, 3 along with representatives of certain groups of voters in the state of Maine 4 and several individual voters, filed a four count complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Maine,…”
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