Maine Constitution Article X .ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
Here is a summary of Article X – Additional Provisions of the Maine Constitution:
Maine Constitution – Article X: Additional Provisions
Overview:
Article X serves primarily as a transitional and miscellaneous article, addressing how the Constitution was to be implemented and modified after its adoption. It contains historical and procedural provisions, and some parts have since been repealed or declared obsolete.
Key Sections of Article X:
Section 1 – Temporary government (REPEALED)
Originally outlined how the government would function temporarily until the new constitutional government was fully established.
Section 2 – Continuance of laws (Still in effect)
Ensures that all laws in force in the District of Maine (then part of Massachusetts) at the time of separation remain valid until altered or repealed by the Maine Legislature.
Section 3 – Existing courts (Still in effect)
Maintains the validity of courts and judicial proceedings that were in place at the time of statehood.
Section 4 – Existing obligations preserved (Still in effect)
Confirms that all debts and contracts entered into prior to the adoption of the Constitution remain valid.
Section 5 – Revision of Constitution
This section originally allowed the Legislature, in 1875, to revise the entire Constitution. The revised version could be submitted to voters for ratification. This was a one-time provision and is now historical in nature.
Section 6 – Schedule (REPEALED)
Related to transitional processes when Maine separated from Massachusetts. Now obsolete and repealed.
Section 7 – Official publication of Constitution
This section includes a unique provision:
It prohibits the printing of certain parts of Article X (Sections 1, 2, 5, and 6) in the official printed version of the Constitution, even though they technically still exist (except those that have been repealed).
This means the Constitution omits parts of itself in print, by constitutional order.
Interesting Note:
Maine is the only U.S. state where part of the Constitution is not allowed to be printed in the official publication — per its own constitutional mandate (Section 7). It’s a historical oddity designed to keep now-obsolete transitional provisions from being mistaken for active law.
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