Maine Restored Redacted Constitution Language

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows unveiled a new printing that restores original treaty obligations to Wabanaki nations.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Native American

Isometric editorial illustration of a cast-iron letterpress mechanism with dense, solid metal blocks, representing institutional documentation and constitutional history. — Maine officials have officially restored constitutional language concerning Wabanaki treaty obligations in a new state printing, fulfilling a 2023 mandate to recognize historical tribal roles. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Maine officials have unveiled an official printing of the state constitution that includes previously redacted sections regarding Wabanaki tribal nations. The move follows a 2023 vote to restore the language omitted from state documents for over a century.

Why it matters

The restoration recognizes the long-standing role of the Wabanaki people in Maine’s formation and ensures the official state record accurately reflects its original constitutional obligations.

The new document restores three sections of Article X that were missing from official copies for over 150 years. The printing was produced by Portland-based Wolfe Editions using a 19th-century letterpress on vellum.

The players

Shenna Bellows

She is the current Secretary of State for Maine who oversaw the unveiling of the updated constitutional document.

Wabanaki tribal nations

They are the Indigenous peoples who have inhabited the region now known as Maine for approximately 13,000 years.

Wolfe Editions

This is a Portland-based printing firm that was commissioned to produce the document using traditional letterpress techniques.

The details

The printing process utilized a 19th-century letterpress to transfer the text onto vellum, creating a permanent record of the document as it was originally intended. This effort follows a 2023 mandate from voters to address the historical exclusion of Wabanaki treaty obligations.

1820 marked the creation of the original Maine State Constitution.
1876 saw the previous official printing of the state document.
2023 was the year voters approved restoring the redacted constitutional language.
September 2026 was when the Secretary of State unveiled the new official printing.

Roadmap

This project represents a broader trend of states re-examining their founding documents to reconcile historical omissions. It follows the 2023 Maine constitutional amendment to restore Article X, which serves as the legislative catalyst for this physical update.

The updated document will be housed at the Maine State Archives, ensuring the corrected history is preserved for future public study. Residents can observe the physical result of the 2023 ballot initiative as it becomes part of the permanent state record.

The takeaway

The restoration of this constitutional language highlights the importance of maintaining historical integrity in governing documents. It serves as a reminder that state records can be updated to better reflect the foundational contributions of all people.