Maine unveils new printing of original constitution

Original constitution formally printed again

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows on Thursday unveiled the first formal printing of Maine’s original Constitution since 1876. The printing presents the state’s founding document more than two centuries after the Constitution originated.

The distinction centers on the original Constitution rather than a candidate proposal, campaign platform or ballot question. The development is not directly connected to an election or political race, and no candidates are associated with it.

A formal printing reproduces the constitutional text in an official edition. Thursday’s unveiling marked the return of that formal treatment after the long interval since 1876. It also gives Maine residents a new way to encounter the original document as part of the state’s public history.

A civic record, not an election action

The unveiling does not itself place an issue before voters. It is a state records and civic education development involving the document that established Maine’s constitutional framework.

Bellows led the presentation in her role as secretary of state. The central facts are the document’s age, its status as Maine’s original Constitution and the length of time since the previous formal printing.

The printing also draws a practical distinction between the original constitutional text and later election activity conducted under Maine law. Residents following the announcement can look for details from the secretary of state’s office about how the edition will be displayed, distributed or made accessible to the public.