The 1909-1910 renovation and expansion of the State House created this spacious House of Representatives chamber in the north wing.
Maine has a part-time legislature; members have occupations outside their legislative jobs. The House of Representatives has 151 members, with each representing about 9,000 people. Members also include three non-voting representatives from the Penobscot Nation, Passamaquoddy Tribe, and Houlton Band of Maliseets.
House of Representatives Chamber, 1905
Maine Historic Preservation Commission Collection
Maine House of Representatives, 1911
Maine Historic Preservation Commission Collection
To cast a vote, each representative pushes a green (for) or red (against) button on their desk. The large panels on the front corners of the chamber list the members alphabetically. When each person votes, the green or red light next to their name lights up.
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The speaker of the house presides over each session, enforces rules, and calls on members who wish to speak. The speaker bangs a wooden gavel to conclude business on each session’s agenda item. Speakers sometimes break gavels while conducting legislative sessions. The clerk of the house has a box of spares nearby so that a replacement gavel can be substituted quickly.