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Maine needs a state ERA!​​​

Twenty-eight states in the map below already have equality provisions in their state constitutions. Maine is not one of them - not yet!​

Map image courtesy of Brennan Center for Justice. Edited by ERMaine to reflect the passage of NY's state ERA on 11.5.2024. View full interactive map here

Maine sets a high bar for constitutional amendments. Most states require only a simple majority vote in their legislatures. But in Maine an amendment bill must first get a â…” vote in both the House and the Senate, before it goes to the people as a referendum vote.

In the past four sessions of the Maine legislature, Equal Rights Amendments have been proposed. They have not yet received the required 2/3 majority votes. Earlier ERA versions pertained only to prohibiting sex discrimination. But in the 2023-24 session, the language was expanded to protect all people. The Resolution in 2025 is similar to the previous session:

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LD 260: “RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine Establishing That All Maine Residents Have Equal Rights Under the Law” would align Maine’s Constitution with the Maine Human Rights Act, and protect people based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical or mental disability, ancestry or national origin of an individual."

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A new campaign for a state ERA

MAINE ERA for all!

supports a proposed amendment that would guarantee equal legal rights for all Mainers, regardless of sex or gender. Many states, including Maine, are moving toward an 'inclusive ERA' which  also protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, race and national origin. Those are the very groups included in the Maine Human Rights Act of 1971, covered by the Maine Human Rights Commission. The state ERA would give lasting, constitutional equality to those groups.

Maine Human Rights Commission

The Maine Human Rights Commission covers 

Employment

Housing

Public Accommodation

Education

Credit

​

It does NOT cover

Domestic Violence

Violence Against Women

Insurance/Pension Discrimination

Incarceration of Women

The Maine Human Rights Commission is responsible for handling sex discrimination cases in Maine, according to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The MHRC has a mandate from the legislature to include certain areas of sex discrimination, but not all. Violence against Women claims, including sexual assault and domestic violence are not included; nor are the increasingly urgent issues of female incarceration, women's pensions, and insurance discrimination. A state ERA would broaden the mandate for the MHRC to more fully do its job.

In 2019 Governor Janet Mills addressed the Judiciary Committee in support of the state ERA.

Maine Human Rights Commission

The Maine Human Rights Commission covers 

Employment

Housing

Public Accommodation

Education

Credit

​

It does NOT cover

Domestic Violence

Violence Against Women

Insurance/Pension Discrimination

Incarceration of Women

The Maine Human Rights Commission is responsible for handling sex discrimination cases in Maine, according to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The MHRC has a mandate from the legislature to include certain areas of sex discrimination, but not all. Violence against Women claims, including sexual assault and domestic violence are not included; nor are the increasingly urgent issues of female incarceration, women's pensions, and insurance discrimination. A state ERA would broaden the mandate for the MHRC to more fully do its job.

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