The state motto of Maine, “Dirigo,” Latin for “I lead,” is being embraced by the members of the Maine Right to Repair Coalition who find themselves at the vanguard of a movement to ratify legislation that protects independent repair shops. Last February, a referendum campaign spearheaded by the Coalition submitted 74,686 signatures in just three weeks from registered Maine voters, about 7,500 more than required to qualify for a November 2023 ballot.
After a public comment portion that ended in April, we now also have the final language that should appear in the referendum: The initiative question entitled “An act regarding automotive right to repair” in November will be,