Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · Maine
Votes with Democrats
98%
on 628 party-line votes · Senate Democrats median 96%
Cast a vote
95%
Yea or Nay on 735 of 775 roll calls · Senate median 97%
Their bills that became law
11 of 18
as a primary sponsor, this session · Democrats median 12.5
Roll calls on record
775
132nd Legislature
Votes and bills updated Oct 10, 2026 from LegiScan (CC BY 4.0), which republishes the legislature’s own records. Profile details from OpenStates / Plural Policy. Figures cover 132nd Legislature.
How Joe Rafferty votes
A party-line vote is a roll call where most voting Democrats and most voting Republicans took opposite sides. Absences and not-voting are never counted. Same method as our Congress pages.
Where Joe Rafferty sits in the Senate
Each dot is one member of the Senate, placed by how often they voted on the Democratic side of party-line votes. Joe Rafferty is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
13 of 628 party-line votes, most recent 10 shown.
LD127 · An Act to Strengthen Legislative Oversight of Government Agencies and Programs by Reaffirming the Legislature's Access to Confidential Records
Accept Minority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #900 · 2026-04-07 · Failed 10–24 · most Democrats voted the other way
LD2187 · An Act to Update Certain Water Quality Standards and to Reclassify Certain Waters of the State
Accept Minority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #786 · 2026-03-24 · Failed 13–22 · most Democrats voted the other way
LD1164 · An Act to Create Economic Opportunity for the Wabanaki Nations Through Internet Gaming
Indefinitely Postpone RC #574 · 2025-06-16 · Failed 17–18 · most Democrats voted the other way
LD1164 · An Act to Create Economic Opportunity for the Wabanaki Nations Through Internet Gaming
Accept Minority Ought Not To Pass Report RC #573 · 2025-06-16 · Failed 17–18 · most Democrats voted the other way
LD1838 · An Act to Provide Opportunities and Sustainable Revenue for Maine Farms, Agricultural Fairs, Wabanaki Tribes and Veterans' Homes
Accept Majority Ought Not To Pass Report RC #534 · 2025-06-13 · Passed 19–16 · most Democrats voted the other way
LD930 · An Act to Amend the Law Governing Items Identified as Prison Contraband
Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #474 · 2025-06-12 · Passed 24–11 · most Democrats voted the other way
LD1754 · An Act to Provide for the Direct Shipment of Spirits to Consumers
Enactment RC #434 · 2025-06-10 · Passed 17–16 · most Democrats voted the other way
LD1263 · An Act Regarding Penalties for Fentanyl Trafficking When That Trafficking Results in an Overdose Causing Serious Bodily Injury of a Person
Accept Minority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #383 · 2025-06-05 · Passed 22–10 · most Democrats voted the other way
LD544 · An Act to Create Parity in the Taxation of Medicine by Exempting Sales of Cannabis for Medical Use
Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #338 · 2025-06-03 · Passed 17–15 · most Democrats voted the other way
LD893 · An Act to Exempt Nonprofit Agricultural Membership Organizations from Insurance Requirements
Accept Minority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #272 · 2025-05-29 · Passed 19–16 · most Democrats voted the other way
Closest votes they cast
Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.
LD299 · An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Support Maine's Agricultural and Forestry Sectors and Expand Grant Eligibility Under the Farmers Drought Resilience Program Fund
Adopt Senate Amendment (s-717) To Committee Amendment RC #958 · 2026-04-14 · Failed 17–17
LD1220 · An Act to Allow Chiropractors to Treat Dogs and Equids
Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #867 · 2026-04-06 · Failed 16–16
LD1868 · An Act to Advance a Clean Energy Economy by Updating Renewable and Clean Resource Procurement Laws
Commit RC #598 · 2025-06-17 · Failed 17–17
LD556 · An Act to Preserve Heating and Energy Choice by Prohibiting a Municipality from Prohibiting a Particular Energy System or Energy Distributor
Accept Majority Ought To Pass Report RC #565 · 2025-06-16 · Failed 17–17
LD411 · Resolve, Directing the Attorney General to Update Rules Relating to the Disposition of Forfeited Firearms
Indefinitely Postpone RC #508 · 2025-06-12 · Failed 17–17
Republicans they vote with most
Share of contested roll calls (the losing side got at least 10%) where both voted and landed on the same side. Unanimous votes are left out, because on those everyone agrees.
Rick BennettRepublican · District 18 · 680 shared contested votes
50%
Marianne MooreRepublican · District 6 · 664 shared contested votes
16%
Bruce BickfordRepublican · District 20 · 606 shared contested votes
14%
Their session, month by month
Dark bars are roll calls they were recorded on each month; the red part is the ones without a Yea or Nay (40 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← Maine Delegation
YeaNayYeaNayNayYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaNayYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaNayYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Joe Rafferty was a primary sponsor of this session. Most bills from either party never leave committee; in Illinois many never get past the Assignments or Rules committee.
Introduced18
Out of committee12
Passed one chamber12
Passed both chambers11
Became law11
Never left committee0
For comparison, the median Democratic member of the Senate has 12.5 bills that became law this session.
What their bills are about
School Policies 3Railroads 3Safety 3School Administration 2Education Dept 2Educational Options 2
An Act to Update Certain Duties Regarding Student Health Related to Communicable and Infectious Disease
Became lawPASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence. · 2026-03-26
An Act to Improve Education in Maine
FailedPursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) · 2026-03-26
An Act to Create a Process for the Residents of a Municipality to Withdraw from a School Union
Became lawPASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence. · 2026-03-03
Resolve, to Establish a Pilot Program to Expand Intensive English Language Learner Programs
FailedPursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) · 2026-02-03
An Act to Require School Boards to Adopt a Policy on Automated External Defibrillator Access at School-sponsored Athletic Events
Became lawHELD BY THE GOVERNOR. · 2025-07-08
Resolve, Directing the Department of Education to Review Teacher Mentoring Programs in Maine Public Schools
Became lawHELD BY THE GOVERNOR. · 2025-07-08
An Act to Prevent Student Homelessness
Became lawPASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence. · 2025-06-25
An Act to Update the Laws Governing Education in the Unorganized Territory
Became lawPASSED TO BE ENACTED in concurrence. · 2025-06-25
An Act Regarding Superintendent Agreements for Transfer Students
FailedPlaced in the Legislative Files. (DEAD) · 2025-06-16
An Act to Establish the Maine Green Schools Network
Became lawPASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence. · 2025-06-11
An Act to Prohibit the Public Release of Information Regarding a Railroad Fatality
FailedPursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) · 2025-06-03
An Act to Establish the Maine Charter School Commission as a Public Instrumentality of the State
Became lawPASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence. · 2025-06-02
An Act Regarding Unallocated Balances in a School Administrative Unit School Budget
Became lawPASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence. · 2025-06-02
An Act to Update the Provision of Law Concerning Student Codes of Conduct in Order to Reflect Best Practices Regarding Behavioral Threat Assessment and Response
Became lawPASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence. · 2025-05-27
An Act to Require Train Axle Bearing Sensors to Be Installed on Passenger Rail Lines
FailedPursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) · 2025-05-20
Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.
Loading committees…
LD1911 · 2026-04-29
An Act to Automatically Seal Criminal History Record Information for Certain Crimes (Reconsideration – Veto RC #962)
LD127 · 2026-04-29
An Act to Strengthen Legislative Oversight of Government Agencies and Programs by Reaffirming the Legislature's Access to Confidential Records (Recede And Concur RC #963)
LD299 · 2026-04-14
An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Support Maine's Agricultural and Forestry Sectors and Expand Grant Eligibility Under the Farmers Drought Resilience Program Fund (Adopt Senate Amendment (s-709) To Committee Amendment RC #953)
LD2054 · 2026-04-14
An Act to Clarify the Laws Regarding Moose Hunting Permits for Hunting Outfitters (Recede And Concur RC #952)
LD2054 · 2026-04-14
An Act to Clarify the Laws Regarding Moose Hunting Permits for Hunting Outfitters (Reconsider RC #954)
LD1519 · 2026-04-14
An Act to Create a Stewardship Program for Electronic Smoking Devices and Related Products (Enactment RC #957)
LD493 · 2026-04-14
An Act to Expand Testing for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances to Private Drinking Water Wells (Enactment RC #956)
LD307 · 2026-04-14
An Act to Establish the Maine Data Center Coordination Council and Place a Temporary Limitation on Certain Data Centers (Enactment RC #955)
LD299 · 2026-04-14
An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Support Maine's Agricultural and Forestry Sectors and Expand Grant Eligibility Under the Farmers Drought Resilience Program Fund (Adopt Senate Amendment (s-717) To Committee Amendment RC #958)
LD299 · 2026-04-14
An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Support Maine's Agricultural and Forestry Sectors and Expand Grant Eligibility Under the Farmers Drought Resilience Program Fund (Passage To Be Engrossed As Amended RC #959)
LD299 · 2026-04-14
An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Support Maine's Agricultural and Forestry Sectors and Expand Grant Eligibility Under the Farmers Drought Resilience Program Fund (Enactment-bond Issue RC #960)
LD785 · 2026-04-13
An Act to Amend Certain Tax Laws Regarding the Wabanaki Nations (Accept Report 'a' Ought To Pass As Amended RC #944)
LD2173 · 2026-04-13
An Act to Update the Laws Regarding Housing Developments and Accessory Dwelling Units (Accept Report RC #942)
LD713 · 2026-04-13
An Act to Exclude Data Centers from the Business Equipment Tax Exemption and the Dirigo Business Incentives Program and to Require the Department of Economic and Community Development to Study Financial Incentives for Data Centers (Indefinitely Postpone RC #949)
LD1803 · 2026-04-13
An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Optometric Practice (Insist RC #948)
LD2155 · 2026-04-13
An Act to Exempt, for Licenses Issued Prior to December 21, 2025, Persons Holding a Majority Ownership Interest from the Restriction on the Number of Manufacturing Facility Licenses and On-premises Retail Licenses (Enactment RC #946)
LD2226 · 2026-04-13
An Act to Amend the Essential Programs and Services School Funding Formula (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #947)
LD579 · 2026-04-13
An Act to Include Certain Nurses Under the 1998 Special Plan for Retirement (Recede And Concur RC #950)
LD2230 · 2026-04-13
An Act to Invest in the Construction of Industrialized Housing (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #943)
LD2220 · 2026-04-13
An Act to Establish the Maine Home Energy Navigator and Coaching Resource Hub (Enactment RC #945)
LD1847 · 2026-04-13
An Act to Institute Testing and Tracking of Medical Use Cannabis and Cannabis Products Similar to Adult Use Cannabis and Cannabis Products, Dedicate a Portion of the Adult Use Cannabis Sales and Excise Tax to Medical Use Cannabis Programs and Create a Study Group (Accept Report 'b' Ought To Pass As Amended RC #951)
LD208 · 2026-04-09
An Act to Eliminate the 72-hour Waiting Period on Firearm Purchases (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #934)
LD208 · 2026-04-09
An Act to Eliminate the 72-hour Waiting Period on Firearm Purchases (Accept Minority Ought To Pass Report RC #935)
LD1230 · 2026-04-09
An Act to Abolish the 72-hour Waiting Period for a Gun Purchase (Accept Majority Ought Not To Pass Report RC #938)
LD555 · 2026-04-09
An Act to Create a Separate Department of Child and Family Services (Accept Majority Ought Not To Pass Report RC #928)
LD1647 · 2026-04-09
An Act to Amend the Maine Human Rights Act to Provide Additional Remedies for Educational Discrimination (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #933)
LD2212 · 2026-04-09
An Act Making Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027 (Enactment RC #927)
LD1821 · 2026-04-09
An Act to Ensure Responsible Business Practices by Licensed Firearms Dealers (Accept Majority Ought Not To Pass Report RC #939)
LD1009 · 2026-04-09
An Act to Restore Full Civil Rights to Possess Firearms to Persons Previously Convicted of Certain Nonviolent Felonies (Accept Majority Ought Not To Pass Report RC #936)
LD1009 · 2026-04-09
An Act to Restore Full Civil Rights to Possess Firearms to Persons Previously Convicted of Certain Nonviolent Felonies (Accept Minority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #937)
LD2150 · 2026-04-09
An Act to Enhance Notice to Individuals Whose Access to State Property Has Been Restricted (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #931)
LD1457 · 2026-04-09
Resolve, to Allow the Maine Turnpike Authority to Conduct a Pilot Program to Implement Automated Speed Control Systems in Highway Work Zones (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #930)
LD1803 · 2026-04-09
An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Optometric Practice (Accept Minority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #929)
LD2162 · 2026-04-09
An Act to Regulate and Prevent Children's Access to Artificial Intelligence Chatbots with Human-like Features and Social Artificial Intelligence Companions (Accept Report 'a' Ought To Pass As Amended RC #932)
LD1917 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Allow the Sealing of Criminal History Record Information Related to Convictions for Conduct That Is No Longer a Crime in the State and to Clarify Dissemination of Sealed Criminal History Record Information to the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #912)
LD1893 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Establish an Independent Office of the Child Advocate (Accept Report RC #909)
LD2054 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Clarify the Laws Regarding Moose Hunting Permits for Hunting Outfitters (Commit RC #914)
LD1902 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Support Nonprofit Organizations by Authorizing the Operation of Electronic Lucky Seven Devices and Similar Sealed Ticket Games (Accept Majority Ought Not To Pass Report RC #905)
LD307 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Establish the Maine Data Center Coordination Council and Place a Temporary Limitation on Certain Data Centers (Accept Report 'a' Ought To Pass As Amended RC #906)
LD2231 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Support Owners of Manufactured Housing, Mobile Homes and Tiny Homes (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #915)
LD2106 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Limit Consent for Entry into Nonpublic Areas of and to Limit Access to Protected Records Maintained by Certain Public Entities (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #917)
LD2018 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Amend the Requirements Governing Self-insurance Plans in the Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Program (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #918)
LD2212 · 2026-04-08
An Act Making Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027 (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #919)
LD2212 · 2026-04-08
An Act Making Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027 (Indefinitely Postpone RC #920)
LD2212 · 2026-04-08
An Act Making Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027 (Indefinitely Postpone RC #921)
LD2212 · 2026-04-08
An Act Making Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027 (Table Until Later RC #922)
LD2212 · 2026-04-08
An Act Making Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027 (Indefinitely Postpone RC #924)
LD2212 · 2026-04-08
An Act Making Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027 (Indefinitely Postpone RC #925)
LD2212 · 2026-04-08
An Act Making Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027 (Passage To Be Engrossed As Amended RC #926)
LD1918 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Clarify the Criminal History Record Information Act with Respect to Criminal Charges Dismissed as the Result of a Plea Agreement and to Clarify Dissemination of Sealed Criminal History Record Information to the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #913)
LD2155 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Exempt, for Licenses Issued Prior to December 21, 2025, Persons Holding a Majority Ownership Interest from the Restriction on the Number of Manufacturing Facility Licenses and On-premises Retail Licenses (Recede RC #910)
LD2155 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Exempt, for Licenses Issued Prior to December 21, 2025, Persons Holding a Majority Ownership Interest from the Restriction on the Number of Manufacturing Facility Licenses and On-premises Retail Licenses (Adopt Senate Amendment (s-633) To Committee Amendment RC #911)
LD2217 · 2026-04-08
An Act Related to the Electronic Tagging of Deer (Recede And Concur RC #916)
LD1941 · 2026-04-08
Resolve, Establishing the Commission to Examine the Intersection of Parole and Current Sentencing Practices (Accept Report 'c' Ought To Pass As Amended RC #907)
LD1941 · 2026-04-08
Resolve, Establishing the Commission to Examine the Intersection of Parole and Current Sentencing Practices (Passage To Be Engrossed As Amended RC #908)
LD2165 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Change Supervisory Authority over the Capitol Police (Recede And Concur RC #904)
LD2100 · 2026-04-07
An Act to Update the Laws Regarding Fuel Gas Detector Requirements (Recede And Concur RC #897)
LD2089 · 2026-04-07
An Act to Amend the Law Governing Agricultural Labor Housing Standards (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #903)
LD2217 · 2026-04-07
An Act Related to the Electronic Tagging of Deer (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #899)
LD2208 · 2026-04-07
An Act to Offset Federal Cuts to Health Insurance for Certain Maine Families and Seniors (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #902)
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 775 total roll-call votes this session).
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