There had been a Convention for that purpose in 1820, made necessary by the separation of Maine.

But the old Constitution had been little altered.
The concentration of the population in large towns and cities had caused a demand for a new distribution of political power.
Many people desired an elective judiciary.

Others desired that the judges should hold office for brief terms instead of the old tenure for life.

There was a great demand for the popular election of Sheriffs and District Attorneys, who under the existing system were appointed by the Governor.
Others desired the choice of Senators, who had before been chosen by the several counties on a joint ticket, by single districts.

A proposition for a Convention was submitted to the people by the Legislature of 1851.