Aug. 19, 2022—Supporters of the Maine Right to Repair Coalition have filed for intentions to seek out a statewide referendum in 2023.
According to the Portland Press Herald, the applications for a citizens initiative was filed with the Secretary of State's Office this week. The intended 2023 statewide referendum would help repairers in Maine protect their repair rights for new vehicles.
The Secretary of State's Office is currently reviewing the application. If the application is ultimately accepted and goes through the proper channels, supporters will need to get enough signatures for the referendum to be on the November 2023 ballot.
The group has until Jan. 26, 2023 to file the petition and get it on the ballot for November 2023. The Press Herald reported that a Maine citizen's ballot needs registered voter signatures amounting to 10 percent of the votes cast during the last gubernatorial election.
This is the beginning of Maine's Right to Repair journey, but this state is not alone in its endeavors. A highly anticipated decision regarding the Massachusetts Right to Repair has yet to come, as it was recently delayed for a sixth time.
