AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine’s last two governors have been elected with less than a majority vote. Now, a Republican senator’s proposing an amendment to the state Constitution that would require more than 50 percent of the vote — in a runoff if necessary.

The bill sponsored by Sen. Tom Saviello of Wilton goes before the Legislature’s State and Local Government Committee on Wednesday.

As it now stands in Maine, a candidate who receives the largest number of votes, regardless of the percentage of the total number of votes cast, becomes governor.

With multiple candidates running, Republican Gov. Paul LePage, and his Democratic predecessor John Baldacci, have each been elected with 38 percent of the vote in the last two elections.

Under the proposed amendment, the top two finishers would face a runoff.