Pro suffragists feared the bill would be defeated at referendum before the state Legislature had a chance to ratify the federal amendment, even though the pro suffrage forces had enough votes in the legislature.
Gov. Milliken, who was pro suffrage, convened a special session of the Legislature on November 4 to ratify the federal amendment before the referendum vote took place.
Maine became the third New England state to ratify the federal amendment.
The referendum vote was still held and the bill giving Maine women the right to vote in presidential elections was affirmed.
