Everyone should be equal under the law. But, equality is not guaranteed in our foundational legal documents-- Neither the United State’s or Maine’s constitutions protect people from discrimination based on their identities. It’s time for Maine to do the right thing – both symbolically and practically – for all Mainers by passing an Inclusive Equal Right Amendment in Maine’s constitution.
The Maine ERA for All! Coalition is a broad group of partner organizations working to create this needed change. Together, we are working to pass LD 260, the “Inclusive Equal Rights Amendment” in the Maine constitution.
Current Action Items to Support LD260:
Testify on March 4th! Click here for all the information you need to get started.
Click here to sign the petition to show your support for Maine’s Inclusive ERA!
Click here to sign up for our Community Team Meetings, every Monday 5-5:30pm on zoom for the latest updates and ways to take action! All are welcome!
ERA: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Clips from Session 1 featuring Prof. Julie Suk discussing the history of constitutional equality -- Watch the full recording of the webinar HERE.
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You’re right! For more than a century, people have advocated for a Federal Equal Rights Amendment to be added to the U.S. constitution. However, the efforts to publish and implement the now fully ratified Federal ERA remain ongoing.
This is why we fight for an ERA on the state level! Mainers cannot wait on Congress to act. NOW is the time to establish human rights in Maine's constitution to demand equality for ALL! We are not alone in making this move– many states have already implemented state-level versions of an ERA in their state constitutions. 29 states have explicit sex equality protections within their constitutions, and a growing number, like Maine, are passing broader human rights protections in their constitutions, often called an "Inclusive Equal Rights Amendment”.
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An Inclusive Equal Rights Amendment in the Maine Constitution would:
Finally include equal rights for ALL individuals in any protected class in Maine’s foundational legal document. (see the next drop down for more on who is protected!)
Give the state of Maine new tools to address discrimination and violations of civil rights that have not yet been, or cannot fully be, addressed by state law.
Ensures that even if state statutes or laws change, equal rights for all are still protected in Maine's constitution– something more than 29 states have already done.
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Equality is not guaranteed in our foundational legal documents-- Neither the United State’s or Maine’s Constitutions protect people from discrimination based on their identities.
Maine has a very robust state law (the “Maine Human Rights Act” (the MHRA)) aimed at preventing and addressing discrimination in the state - it protects Mainers based on a set of “protected classes”: actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical or mental disability, ancestry or national origin. And while those protections in law are crucially important, discrimination certainly does still occur!
Embedding equal rights as a fundamental requirement in the state would be the next step to addressing systemic discrimination. Mirroring the protections outlined in the MHRA, the Maine Inclusive ERA would guarantee equal rights on the basis of “race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin.” -
The late Rep. Lois Galgay Reckitt introduced a sex-equality focused "Maine Equal Rights Amendment" in the 2016 Legislative session and it has been reintroduced each session since then. In the 2022 session, she broadened the language to be an "Inclusive Equal Rights Amendment."
Now led by Representative Holly Sargent and Senator Rachel Talbot Ross, the momentum to pass an Inclusive ERA in Maine's constitution is growing: This year’s bill, LD260, is co-sponsored by over 90 legislators (the most ever!). However, in order to pass a constitutional amendment through the legislature, the bill needs ⅔ majority support (not just a simple majority like a regular bill). Efforts to get support from 2/3rds of Maine legislators for passage of the bill remain ongoing.
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A constitutional amendment is a formal change or addition to the constitution, which serves as the foundational legal document of the country or state. In Maine, the process involves introducing a bill, gaining support from the Judiciary Committee, securing a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate, and ultimately putting the amendment to a referendum vote where a simple majority decides its fate.
While Maine has several critical laws that address human rights, a constitutional amendment has a higher threshold for being changed and/or rolled back, so is inherently more robust for establishing rights.
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22 states already have Equal Rights Amendments and 6 additional states have provisions establishing gender equality. 3 states in addition to Maine are currently working on passing an Equal Rights Amendments. Maine is becoming an outlier– including in comparison to our New England neighbors– in not having an ERA in our state constitution.
We hosted a 3 part webinar series featuring experts on the Inclusive ERA — check out the recordings from the webinars to learn more!
Clips from Session 2 featuring leaders in other states who have worked on an Inclusive ERA-- Watch the full recording of the webinar HERE.
Clips from Session 3 featuring Maine leaders on what an “Inclusive Equal Right Amendment” could mean for Maine— Watch the full recording of the webinar HERE.
ABOUT OUR COALITION
The Maine ERA for All Coalition is a growing group of organizations. Interested in becoming a partner? Complete this form to sign up!
Together we share our resources, expertise, and influence to create a unified coalition capable of passing the Maine Inclusive ERA.
We do this by:
Raising awareness of the issue among policy makers and the general public, and changing the historical perception and understanding of the ERA.
Strengthening relationships among partners and stakeholders, and sharing our diverse perspectives and resources with each other.
Mobilizing a powerful constituency of concerned Mainers who will work to make a Maine ERA a reality.
Developing effective policy strategies to ensure that we are successful in our goal.
Interested in becoming a partner? Complete this form to sign up or contact Catie@MaineWomen.org to learn more!
The Maine ERA for All Coalition is established and convened by the Maine Women’s Lobby.
OTHER ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE TODAY
SIGN UP TO GET INVOLVED!
As we prepare for the 2025-26 Legislative session, the best way to stay in the loop is signing up for our email list.
ATTEND (OR HOST!) AN UPCOMING EVENT.
A list of upcoming events can be found here. Additionally, our trained volunteers will join your local library, your home, or over Zoom for a program to better understand the history of the ERA, and what we can do today to support it. Email Lily@mainewomen.org if you’re interested.
FUEL OUR WORK.
Support this work by making a tax-deductible gift today. Learn more about Maine ERA for All donations.
We have an opportunity to pass an inclusive ERA and we need your help to do it.
Support the Maine ERA for All Coalition and make a donation today!
**The MWL Education Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and donations are tax-deductible. To support our legislative advocacy, visit the Maine Women's Lobby Donation Form.**
“The Inclusive ERA represents a straightforward yet strong concept that can ensure that the winds of change cannot easily be dismissed. Equal rights in Maine will encompass all our citizens.”
— Representative Lois Galgay Reckitt (1944 - 2023)
