21-A M.R.S. § 1017 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1017
21-A §1017. Reports by candidates
Status: in_force

1. Federal candidates. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §16 (RP).]

2. Gubernatorial candidates. A treasurer of a candidate for the office of Governor shall file reports with the commission as follows. Once the first required report has been filed, each subsequent report must cover the period from the end date of the prior report filed. A. In any calendar year, other than a gubernatorial election year, in which the candidate or the candidate's political committee has received contributions in excess of $1,000 or made or authorized expenditures in excess of $1,000, reports must be filed no later than 11:59 p.m. on July 15th of that year and January 15th of the following calendar year. These reports must include all contributions made to and all expenditures made or authorized by or on behalf of the candidate or the candidate's treasurer as of the end of the preceding month, except those covered by a previous report. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §16 (AMD).] B. Reports must be filed no later than 11:59 p.m. on the 42nd day before the date on which an election is held and must be complete as of the 49th day before that date. If a report was not filed under paragraph A , the report required under this paragraph must cover all contributions and expenditures through the 49th day before the election. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §16 (AMD).] C. Reports must be filed no later than 11:59 p.m. on the 11th day before the date on which an election is held and must be complete as of the 14th day before that date. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §16 (AMD).] D. If the candidate has an opponent who is on the ballot or who is a declared write-in candidate, any single contribution of $1,000 or more received or any single expenditure of $1,000 or more made after the 14th day before the election and more than 24 hours before 11:59 p.m. on the day of the election must be reported within 24 hours of that contribution or expenditure. The candidate or treasurer is not required to include in this report expenditures for overhead expenses or compensation paid to an employee or other member of the campaign staff who has received payments at regular intervals that have been disclosed in previously filed campaign finance reports. As used in this paragraph, "overhead expenses" includes, but is not limited to, rent, utility payments, taxes, insurance premiums or similar administrative expenses. [PL 2019, c. 323, §7 (AMD).] E. Reports must be filed no later than 11:59 p.m. on the 42nd day after the date on which an election is held and must be complete for the filing period as of the 35th day after that date. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §16 (AMD).] F. Unless further reports will be filed in relation to a later election in the same calendar year, the disposition of any surplus or deficit in excess of $100 shown in the reports described in paragraph E must be reported as provided in this paragraph. The treasurer of a candidate or political committee with a surplus or deficit in excess of $100 shall file reports semiannually with the commission within 15 days following the end of the 2nd and 4th quarters of the State's fiscal year, complete as of the last day of the quarter, until the surplus is disposed of or the deficit is liquidated. The first report under this paragraph is not required until the 15th day of the period beginning at least 90 days from the date of the election. The reports will be considered timely if filed electronically or in person with the commission on that date or postmarked on that date. The reports must set forth any contributions for the purpose of liquidating the deficit, in the same manner as contributions are set forth in other reports required in this section. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §16 (AMD).] G. Unless otherwise specified in this subsection, reports must be complete back to the end date of the previous report filing period. The reports described in paragraph E , if filed with respect to a primary election, are considered previous reports in relation to reports concerning a general election. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §16 (AMD).] H. Reports with respect to a candidate who seeks nomination by petition for the office of Governor must be filed on the same dates that reports must be filed with respect to a candidate who seeks that nomination by primary election. [PL 1991, c. 839, §14 (AMD); PL 1991, c. 839, §34 (AFF).] [PL 2019, c. 323, §7 (AMD).]

3. Other candidates. [PL 1989, c. 504, §§13, 31 (RP).]

3-A. Other candidates. A treasurer of a candidate for state or county office other than the office of Governor shall file reports with the commission and municipal candidates shall file reports with the municipal clerk as follows. Once the first required report has been filed, each subsequent report must cover the period from the end date of the prior report filed. A. In any calendar year in which an election for the candidate's particular office is not scheduled, when any candidate or candidate's political committee has received contributions in excess of $500 or made or authorized expenditures in excess of $500, reports must be filed no later than 11:59 p.m. on July 15th of that year and January 15th of the following calendar year. These reports must include all contributions made to and all expenditures made or authorized by or on behalf of the candidate or the treasurer of the candidate as of the end of the preceding month, except those covered by a previous report. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §16 (AMD).] B. Reports must be filed no later than 11:59 p.m. on the 11th day before the date on which an election is held and must be complete as of the 14th day before that date. If a report was not filed under paragraph A , the report required under this paragraph must cover all contributions and expenditures through the 14th day before the election. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §16 (AMD).] C. If the candidate has an opponent who is on the ballot or who is a declared write-in candidate, any single contribution of $1,000 or more received or any single expenditure of $1,000 or more made after the 14th day before any election and more than 24 hours before 11:59 p.m. on the day of any election must be reported within 24 hours of that contribution or expenditure. The candidate or treasurer is not required to include in this report expenditures for overhead expenses or compensation paid to an employee or other member of the campaign staff who has received payments at regular intervals that have been disclosed in previously filed campaign finance reports. As used in this paragraph, "overhead expenses" includes, but is not limited to, rent, utility payments, taxes, insurance premiums or similar administrative expenses. [PL 2019, c. 323, §8 (AMD).] D. Reports must be filed no later than 11:59 p.m. on the 42nd day after the date on which an election is held and must be complete for the filing period as of the 35th day after that date. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §16 (AMD).] D-1. Reports must be filed no later than 11:59 p.m. on the 42nd day before the date on which an election is held and must be complete as of the 49th day before that date, except that this report is not required for candidates for municipal office, unless required by the municipality. Certified candidates and participating candidates, as defined under section 1122, subsections 1 and 6 , respectively, are not required to file a report on the 42nd day before a primary election pursuant to this section. [PL 2023, c. 273, §1 (AMD).] E. Unless further reports will be filed in relation to a later election in the same calendar year, the disposition of any surplus or deficit in excess of $100 shown in the reports described in paragraph D must be reported as provided by this paragraph. The treasurer of a candidate with a surplus or deficit in excess of $100 shall file reports semiannually with the commission within 15 days following the end of the 2nd and 4th quarters of the State's fiscal year, complete as of the last day of the quarter, until the surplus is disposed of or the deficit is liquidated. The first report under this paragraph is not required until the 15th day of the period beginning at least 90 days from the date of the election. The reports will be considered timely if filed electronically or in person with the commission on that date or postmarked on that date. The reports must set forth any contributions for the purpose of liquidating the deficit, in the same manner as contributions are set forth in other reports required in this section. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §16 (AMD).] F. Reports with respect to a candidate who seeks nomination by petition must be filed on the same dates that reports must be filed by a candidate for the same office who seeks that nomination by primary election. [PL 1991, c. 839, §15 (AMD); PL 1991, c. 839, §34 (AFF).] [PL 2023, c. 273, §1 (AMD).]

3-B. Accelerated reporting schedule. [PL 2011, c. 558, §1 (RP).]

4. New candidate or nominee. A candidate for nomination or a nominee chosen to fill a vacancy under chapter 5, subchapter 3 is subject to section 1013‑A, subsection 1 , except that the candidate shall register the name of a treasurer or political committee and all other information required in section 1013‑A, subsection 1, paragraphs A and B within 7 days after the candidate's appointment or at least 6 days before the election, whichever is earlier. The commission shall send notification of this registration requirement and report forms and schedules to the candidate and the candidate's treasurer immediately upon notice of the candidate's and treasurer's appointments. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §16 (AMD).]

5. Content. A report required under this section must contain the itemized accounts of contributions received during that report filing period, including the date a contribution was received, and the name, address, occupation, principal place of business, if any, and the amount of the contribution of each person who has made a contribution or contributions aggregating in excess of $50. The report must contain the itemized expenditures made or authorized during the report filing period, the date and purpose of each expenditure and the name and address of each payee and creditor and any refund that a payee has made to the candidate or an agent of the candidate. If the payee is a member of the candidate's household or immediate family, the candidate shall disclose the candidate's relationship to the payee in a manner prescribed by the commission. The report must contain a statement of any loan to a candidate by a financial institution in connection with that candidate's candidacy that is made during the period covered by the report, whether or not the loan is defined as a contribution under section 1012, subsection 2, paragraph A . The candidate and the treasurer are jointly and severally responsible for the timely and accurate filing of each required report. [PL 2019, c. 323, §9 (AMD).]

5-A. Valuation of contributions sold at auction. Any contribution received by a candidate that is later sold at auction must be reported in the following manner. A. If the contribution is sold at auction before the commencement of the appropriate reporting period specified in subsections 2 to 4 , or during that period, the value of the contribution is deemed to be the amount of the purchase price paid at auction. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §16 (AMD).] B. If the contribution is sold after the termination of the appropriate reporting period specified in subsections 2 to 4 , the value of the contribution is the difference between the value of the contribution as originally reported by the treasurer and the amount of the purchase price paid at auction. Unless further reports are filed in relation to a later election in the same calendar year, the disposition of any net surplus or deficit in excess of $100 resulting from the difference between the auction price and the original contribution value must be reported in the same manner as provided in subsection 2, paragraph F or subsection 3‑A, paragraph E , as appropriate. [PL 2009, c. 190, Pt. A, §7 (AMD).] [PL 2009, c. 190, Pt. A, §7 (AMD).]

6. Forms. Reports required by this section not filed electronically must be on forms prescribed, prepared and sent by the commission to the treasurer of each registered candidate at least 7 days before the filing date for the report. Establishment of or amendments to the campaign report filing forms required by this section must be by rule. Persons filing reports may use additional pages if necessary, but the pages must be the same size as the pages of the form. Although the commission mails the forms for required reports to candidates who are exempt from filing electronically, failure to receive forms by mail does not excuse treasurers, committees and other persons who must file reports from otherwise obtaining the forms or from late filing penalties. Rules of the commission establishing campaign report filing forms for candidates are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §16 (AMD).]

7. Reporting exemption. [PL 1991, c. 839, §20 (RP); PL 1991, c. 839, §34 (AFF).]

7-A. Reporting exemption. A candidate seeking election to a county or municipal office or a legislative candidate seeking the nomination of a party in an uncontested primary election is exempt from reporting as provided by this subsection. A. A candidate seeking election to a county or municipal office may, at the time the candidate registers under section 1013‑A , notify the commission that the candidate and the candidate's agents, if any, will not personally accept contributions, make expenditures or incur obligations associated with that candidate's candidacy. The notification must be made through an online or written form prescribed by the commission. A candidate who provides this notice to the commission is not required to appoint a treasurer and is not subject to the filing requirements of this subchapter if the statement is true. [PL 2025, c. 224, §8 (AMD).] A-1. A legislative candidate seeking the nomination of a party in an uncontested primary election may, at the time the candidate registers under section 1013‑A , notify the commission that the candidate and the candidate's agents, if any, will not personally accept contributions, make expenditures or incur obligations associated with that candidate's candidacy through the 35th day after the primary election. The notification must be made through an online or written form prescribed by the commission. A candidate who provides this notice to the commission is not required to appoint a treasurer or to file the campaign finance reports under subsection 3‑A, paragraphs B and D with respect to the primary election. [PL 2025, c. 224, §9 (AMD).] B. The notice provided to the commission under paragraph A or A‑1 may be revoked. Prior to revocation, the candidate must appoint a treasurer. The candidate may not accept contributions, make expenditures or incur obligations before the appointment of a treasurer and the filing of a revocation notice are accomplished. A revocation notice must be in the form of an amended registration, which must be filed with the commission no later than 10 days after the appointment of a treasurer. The candidate and the candidate's treasurer, as of the date the revocation notice is filed with the commission, may accept contributions, make expenditures and incur obligations associated with the candidate's candidacy. Any candidate who fails to file a timely revocation notice is subject to the penalties prescribed in section 1020‑A, subsection 4‑A , up to a maximum of $5,000. Lateness is calculated from the day a contribution is received, an expenditure is made or an obligation is incurred, whichever is earliest. [PL 2015, c. 350, §5 (AMD).] [PL 2025, c. 224, §§8, 9 (AMD).]

8. Disposition of surplus. A candidate or treasurer of a candidate registered under section 1013‑A or qualified under sections 335 and 336 or sections 354 and 355 shall dispose of a surplus exceeding $100 within 4 years of the election for which the contributions were received by: A. Returning contributions to the candidate's or candidate's authorized political committee's contributors, as long as no contributor receives more than the amount contributed; [PL 2005, c. 301, §16 (AMD).] B. A gift to a qualified political party within the State, including any county or municipal subdivision of such a party; [PL 1991, c. 839, §21 (AMD); PL 1991, c. 839, §34 (AFF).] C. An unrestricted gift to the State. A candidate for municipal office may dispose of a surplus by making a restricted or unrestricted gift to the municipality; [PL 2005, c. 542, §2 (AMD).] D. Carrying forward the surplus balance to a political committee established to promote the same candidate for a subsequent election; [PL 1989, c. 504, §§17, 31 (NEW).] D-1. Carrying forward the surplus balance for use by the candidate for a subsequent election; [PL 1989, c. 833, §7 (NEW).] E. Transferring the surplus balance to one or more other candidates registered under section 1013‑A or qualified under sections 335 and 336 or sections 354 and 355 , or to political committees established to promote the election of those candidates, provided that the amount transferred does not exceed the contribution limits established by section 1015 ; [PL 1991, c. 839, §21 (AMD); PL 1991, c. 839, §34 (AFF).] F. Repaying any loans or retiring any other debts incurred in the course of the candidate's campaign activity; [PL 2025, c. 224, §10 (AMD).] G. Paying for any expense incurred in the proper performance of the office to which the candidate is elected, as long as each expenditure is itemized on expenditure reports; and [PL 1995, c. 193, §2 (AMD).] H. A gift to a charitable or educational organization that is not prohibited, for tax reasons, from receiving such a gift. [PL 1995, c. 193, §3 (NEW).] The choice must be made by the candidate for whose benefit the contributions were made. [PL 2025, c. 224, §10 (AMD).]

9. Campaign termination report forms. The commission shall provide each candidate required to report campaign contributions and expenditures with a campaign termination report form. A candidate shall file the campaign termination report with the commission as required in this subsection. The campaign termination report must be complete as of June 30th of the year following the campaign of the previous year. This form must show any deficits or surpluses to be carried over to the next campaign. Funds not carried forward to the next campaign must be disposed of as provided in subsection 8 . Campaign reporting is as follows. A. Candidates with surplus campaign funds following an election shall file termination reports no later than July 15th of the year following the campaign of the previous year. [PL 1991, c. 839, §22 (NEW).] B. Candidates with a campaign deficit following an election shall file termination reports no later than July 15th of the year following the campaign of the previous year. [PL 1991, c. 839, §22 (NEW).] C. Candidates with a deficit who will not participate in the next election for the same office shall file semiannual reports until the deficit is liquidated. [PL 1991, c. 839, §22 (NEW).] D. Candidates who collect funds subsequent to an election for purposes other than retiring campaign debt shall register with the commission pursuant to section 1013‑A . [PL 1991, c. 839, §22 (NEW).] [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §16 (AMD).]

10. Electronic filing. The treasurer of a candidate or committee that has receipts or expects to have receipts of more than $1,500 shall file each report required by this section through an electronic filing system developed by the commission. The commission may make an exception to this electronic filing requirement if a candidate or committee submits a written request that states that the candidate or committee lacks access to the technology or the technological ability to file reports electronically. The request for an exception must be submitted by April 15th of the election year, except that a candidate registered according to subsection 4 has 10 business days from the date of registration to submit a request to the commission. The commission shall grant all reasonable requests for exceptions. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §16 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1304 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 17 / Section 1304
21-A §1304. Manner of appointing presidential electors in member states - Article 3
Status: in_force

Prior to the time set by law for the meeting of and voting by the presidential electors, the chief election official of each member state shall determine the number of votes for each presidential slate in each state of the United States and in the District of Columbia in which votes have been cast in a statewide popular election and shall add such votes together to produce a national popular vote total for each presidential slate. [PL 2023, c. 628, §9 (NEW).]

The chief election official of each member state shall designate the presidential slate with the largest national popular vote total as the national popular vote winner. [PL 2023, c. 628, §9 (NEW).]

The presidential elector certifying official of each member state shall certify the appointment in that official's own state of the elector slate nominated in that state in association with the national popular vote winner. [PL 2023, c. 628, §9 (NEW).]

At least 6 days before the day fixed by law for the meeting of and voting by the presidential electors, each member state shall make a final determination of the number of popular votes cast in the state for each presidential slate and shall communicate an official statement of such determination within 24 hours to the chief election official of each other member state. [PL 2023, c. 628, §9 (NEW).]

The chief election official of each member state shall treat as conclusive an official statement containing the number of popular votes in a state for each presidential slate made by the day established by federal law for making a state's final determination conclusive as to the counting of electoral votes by Congress. [PL 2023, c. 628, §9 (NEW).]

In the event of a tie for the national popular vote winner, the presidential elector certifying official of each member state shall certify the appointment of the elector slate nominated in association with the presidential slate receiving the largest number of popular votes within that official's own state. [PL 2023, c. 628, §9 (NEW).]

If, for any reason, the number of presidential electors nominated in a member state in association with the national popular vote winner is less than or greater than that state's number of electoral votes, the presidential candidate on the presidential slate that has been designated as the national popular vote winner may nominate the presidential electors for that state and that state's presidential elector certifying official shall certify the appointment of such nominees. [PL 2023, c. 628, §9 (NEW).]

The chief election official of each member state shall immediately release to the public all vote counts or statements of votes as they are determined or obtained. [PL 2023, c. 628, §9 (NEW).]

This article governs the appointment of presidential electors in each member state in any year in which this agreement is, on July 20th, in effect in states cumulatively possessing a majority of the electoral votes. [PL 2023, c. 628, §9 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 502 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 7 / Section 502
21-A §502. Duties and vacancies -- warden and ward clerk
Status: in_force

In the event of a vacancy in the office of warden or in the absence or incapacity of the warden, the ward clerk may perform the duties of the warden. A vacancy in the office of ward clerk may be filled by an election clerk appointed by the warden. When a ward clerk is elected in a partisan election, an election clerk appointed by the warden must be enrolled in the same political party as the ward clerk and shall serve as ward clerk pro tem. [PL 1997, c. 436, §66 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 24 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 1 / Section 24
21-A §24. Newspaper publication to be reasonably noticeable
Status: in_force

When publication in a newspaper is required by this Title, the item published must be set in such a size and location as to be reasonably noticeable. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 633 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 633
21-A §633. Election expenses
Status: in_force

Except for the added expenses incurred by a municipality under section 632 , each municipality shall pay for the expense it incurs in calling, holding and reporting the results of an election. The State shall pay for other election expenses incurred as a result of the performance by state officials of their duties under this Title. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 764 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 764
21-A §764. Applications and envelopes as public records
Status: in_force

Absentee ballot applications and absentee ballot return envelopes are public records until the close of voting on election day, or until the ballots have been processed on election day, if the municipality processes absentee ballots before 8:00 p.m. After that time, except as provided in section 759, subsection 8 , the applications and envelopes are not public records and may be inspected only in accordance with this Title. [PL 1997, c. 436, §115 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 849 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 849
21-A §849. Arrangement of voting place
Status: in_force

The municipal officers shall arrange each voting place in compliance with section 627 . [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 152 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 152
21-A §152. Registration and enrollment procedure
Status: in_force

1. Application. In addition to the procedures provided by section 122 and subchapter 9 , a person may register to vote or enroll in a political party, or both, by completing a written application that is designed by the Secretary of State or by submitting an online voter registration application. The application must include, but is not limited to: A. The legal name of the voter, in one of the following combinations: (1) First name and last name; (2) First initial, middle name and last name; or (3) First name, middle name or middle initial and last name; [PL 2015, c. 447, §4 (RPR).] B. Residence address, including street, street number, apartment number, town and zip code; [PL 1991, c. 466, §6 (AMD).] C. Mailing address; [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] D. Date of birth; [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] E. [PL 1993, c. 695, §10 (RP).] F. Most recent prior residence where registered to vote, including the municipality, county and state, and the name under which previously registered, if changed; [PL 2015, c. 447, §5 (AMD).] G. [PL 1993, c. 695, §11 (RP).] H. Notification that failure to complete the entire application may prevent registration; [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] I. [PL 2003, c. 407, §8 (RP).] J. Date of application; [PL 1997, c. 436, §34 (AMD).] K. Signature of applicant collected in a way that ensures the quality and integrity of the signature. If the applicant submits an online voter registration application, the applicant satisfies the signature requirement of this paragraph by submitting a current, valid Maine driver's license number or nondriver identification card number or, if the applicant does not have a current, valid Maine driver's license or nondriver identification card, by submitting an electronic image of the applicant's signature; [PL 2021, c. 439, §11 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 439, §15 (AFF).] L. Choice of political party if the applicant desires to enroll in a political party or an indication that the applicant chose not to enroll in a party; [PL 2003, c. 407, §8 (AMD).] M. A place for the applicant's current, valid Maine driver's license number or nondriver identification card number, if applicable; or, if the applicant has no Maine driver's license number or nondriver identification card, the last 4 digits of the applicant's social security number, if applicable; or, if the application is submitted in writing and the applicant has neither number, a place to put "none" or "not applicable"; [PL 2021, c. 439, §11 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 439, §15 (AFF).] N. A place for the applicant to respond to the questions concerning the voter's qualifications as required by the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002, Public Law 107-252; and [PL 2021, c. 439, §11 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 439, §15 (AFF).] O. A place for the applicant to attest to the truth of the information provided in the application. [PL 2021, c. 439, §11 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 439, §15 (AFF).] [PL 2021, c. 439, §11 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 439, §15 (AFF).]

2. Entry into central voter registration system. Upon receipt of the application by the registrar of voters, the applicant's name and other information from the voter registration application must be entered into the central voter registration system as expeditiously as possible. The registrar shall provide the voter with a notice of disposition as required by section 122 . [PL 2005, c. 453, §28 (AMD).]

3. Failure to qualify. The registrar of voters may investigate any application under this section and reject the voter's application for failure to meet a voting qualification under this Title, after written notice to the voter to the last known address provided by the voter. [PL 2005, c. 453, §29 (AMD).]

4. Persons born United States citizens in foreign countries. Any person born a United States citizen in a foreign country may register under this section in the same manner as a person who was born a United States citizen within the territory of the United States. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

5. Design of written application. The Secretary of State shall design the written application that meets the requirements of subsection 1 . [PL 2021, c. 439, §12 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 439, §15 (AFF).]

6. Design of online voter registration application; rulemaking. No later than February 1, 2024, the Secretary of State shall design the online voter registration application that meets the requirements of subsection 1 and that can be submitted online through the Secretary of State's publicly accessible website. The online registration application must be designed to prevent an applicant from registering to vote unless the applicant discloses a current, valid Maine driver's license number or nondriver identification number or the last 4 digits of the applicant's social security number. No later than February 1, 2024, the Secretary of State shall adopt rules governing the online voter registration process, which must, at a minimum, include the following: A. A process for informing an applicant who discloses a current, valid Maine driver's license number or nondriver identification card number that disclosure of that number constitutes consent to the use of the applicant's signature on the driver's license or nondriver identification card for all purposes for which a signature on a written application for voter registration is used under this Title; [PL 2021, c. 439, §13 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §38 (AFF).] B. A process for an applicant who discloses the last 4 digits of the applicant's social security number to include with the online voter registration application an electronic image of the applicant's signature and for the applicant to consent to the use of that electronic image of the applicant's signature for all purposes for which a signature on a written application for voter registration is used under this Title; [PL 2021, c. 439, §13 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §38 (AFF).] C. A process for transmitting any driver's license number or nondriver identification card number from an online voter registration application along with the applicant's name and date of birth to the central voter registration system and for determining whether the information entered in the central voter registration system matches the information in the driver's license or nondriver identification card records maintained by the Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles and, if a match is found, for transmitting an electronic image of the applicant's signature on that driver's license or nondriver identification card from the bureau to the central voter registration system; [PL 2021, c. 439, §13 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §38 (AFF).] D. A process for matching the last 4 digits of a social security number provided in an online voter registration application and the applicant's name and date of birth with the information available from the United States Social Security Administration; [PL 2021, c. 439, §13 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §38 (AFF).] E. A process for transmitting the contents of each online voter registration application and the electronic image of the signature of that applicant to the appropriate registrar of voters; [PL 2021, c. 439, §13 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §38 (AFF).] F. Minimum procedures and security measures for ensuring the accuracy and security of online voter registration applications; [PL 2021, c. 439, §13 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §38 (AFF).] G. A process and form for a registered voter whose name is changed by marriage or other process of law or who has moved within a municipality to notify the appropriate registrar of voters pursuant to section 129 of the registered voter's new name or address through the online voter registration application; and [PL 2021, c. 439, §13 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §38 (AFF).] H. A process and form for a registered voter to enroll in a party pursuant to section 142 , to change the voter's party enrollment pursuant to section 144 or to withdraw from a party pursuant to section 145 through the online voter registration application. [PL 2021, c. 439, §13 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §38 (AFF).] Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §2 (AMD); PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §§38, 39 (AFF).]
21-A M.R.S. § 904-B — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 11 / Section 904-B
21-A §904-B. Payment for signature; prohibition
Status: in_force

A circulator of an initiative or a referendum petition or a person who causes the circulation of an initiative or referendum petition may not pay or offer to pay any compensation to a person for the person's signature on the initiative or referendum petition. [PL 1993, c. 599, §2 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 723-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 723-A
21-A §723-A. Determination of winner in election for an office elected by ranked-choice voting
Status: in_force

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. [PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §14 (RP).] B. "Continuing ballot" means a ballot that is not an exhausted ballot. [IB 2015, c. 3, §5 (NEW); IB 2015, c. 3, §6 (AFF).] C. "Continuing candidate" means a candidate who has not been removed from consideration and is not an excluded candidate. [PL 2025, c. 363, §5 (AMD).] C-1. "Excluded candidate" means a candidate who is listed on the ballot or has qualified as a declared write-in candidate, but has died, been disqualified or withdrawn less than 70 days before the election. [PL 2025, c. 363, §6 (NEW).] D. "Exhausted ballot" means a ballot that does not rank any continuing candidate, contains an overvote at the highest continuing ranking or contains 2 or more sequential skipped rankings before its highest continuing ranking. [IB 2015, c. 3, §5 (NEW); IB 2015, c. 3, §6 (AFF).] E. "Highest continuing ranking" means the highest ranking on a voter's ballot for a continuing candidate. [IB 2015, c. 3, §5 (NEW); IB 2015, c. 3, §6 (AFF).] F. "Last-place candidate" means the candidate with the fewest votes in a round of the ranked-choice voting count. [PL 2019, c. 320, §9 (AMD).] G. [PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §15 (RP).] H. "Overvote" means a circumstance in which a voter has ranked more than one candidate at the same ranking. [IB 2015, c. 3, §5 (NEW); IB 2015, c. 3, §6 (AFF).] H-1. "Ranked‑choice voting count" means the ranked‑choice counting process described in this section and in rules adopted by the Secretary of State. [PL 2019, c. 320, §10 (NEW).] I. "Ranking" means the number assigned on a ballot by a voter to a candidate to express the voter's preference for that candidate. Ranking number one is the highest ranking, ranking number 2 is the next-highest ranking and so on. [IB 2015, c. 3, §5 (NEW); IB 2015, c. 3, §6 (AFF).] J. "Round" means an instance of the sequence of vote counting steps established in subsection 2 and in rules adopted by the Secretary of State. [PL 2019, c. 320, §11 (AMD).] K. "Skipped ranking" means a circumstance in which a voter has left a ranking blank and ranks a candidate at a subsequent ranking. [IB 2015, c. 3, §5 (NEW); IB 2015, c. 3, §6 (AFF).] [PL 2025, c. 363, §§5, 6 (AMD).]

2. Procedures. Except as provided in subsections 2‑A , 3 , 4 and 7 , the following procedures are used to determine the winner of an election determined by ranked-choice voting. If a candidate has been assigned ranking number one on more than 50% of all ballots cast for the particular office for which the candidate is running, including but not limited to ballots on which ranking number one is blank, on which there is an overvote at ranking number one or on which ranking number one was assigned to an excluded candidate, that candidate is declared the winner of the election. If no candidate has been assigned ranking number one on more than 50% of the ballots cast for that particular office, the ranked‑choice voting count must proceed in rounds. In each round, the number of votes for each continuing candidate must be counted. Each continuing ballot counts as one vote for its highest-ranked continuing candidate for that round. Exhausted ballots are not counted for any continuing candidate. The round then ends with one of the following 2 potential outcomes. A. If there are 2 or fewer continuing candidates, the candidate with the most votes is declared the winner of the election. [IB 2015, c. 3, §5 (NEW); IB 2015, c. 3, §6 (AFF).] B. If there are more than 2 continuing candidates, the last-place candidate is removed from consideration and a new round begins. [PL 2023, c. 628, §2 (AMD).] [PL 2025, c. 363, §7 (AMD).]

2-A. Excluded candidates. In any round of the ranked-choice voting count, a ballot on which an excluded candidate is the highest-ranked candidate must be counted for the next-highest-ranked continuing candidate. [PL 2025, c. 363, §8 (NEW).]

3. Ties. A tie under this section between last-place candidates in any round must be decided by lot, and the candidate chosen by lot is removed from consideration. The result of the tie resolution must be recorded and reused in the event of a recount. A tie between candidates for the most votes in the final round must be decided as provided in section 732 . [PL 2023, c. 628, §3 (AMD).]

4. Modification of ranked-choice voting ballot and ranked-choice voting count. Modification of a ranked-choice voting ballot and ranked-choice voting count is permitted in accordance with the following. A. The number of allowable rankings may be limited to no fewer than 5. [PL 2019, c. 320, §14 (AMD).] B. [PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §16 (RP).] [PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §16 (AMD).]

5. Effect on rights of political parties. For all statutory and constitutional provisions in the State pertaining to the rights of political parties, the number of votes cast for a party's candidate for an office determined by ranked-choice voting is the number of votes credited to that candidate after the initial counting in the first round described in subsection 2 . [PL 2017, c. 316, §9 (AMD).]

5-A. Rules. The Secretary of State shall adopt rules for the proper and efficient administration of elections determined by ranked-choice voting. At a minimum, rules required under this subsection must include procedures, as determined appropriate by the Secretary of State, for requesting and conducting recounts of the results as determined in the rounds of counting described in subsection 2 . Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined by Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2019, c. 320, §15 (AMD).]

5-B. Presidential primary elections; selection of delegates. Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, for presidential primary elections, tabulation must continue until only 2 continuing candidates remain, separate tabulations must be conducted statewide and for each congressional district and selection and allocation of delegates to a party's national presidential nominating convention must be in accordance with any reasonable procedures established at the state party convention, except that unenrolled voters who participate in the party's primary election must be considered members of the party for purposes of allocating delegates. [PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §18 (AMD); PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §39 (AFF).]

5-C. Cast vote record posted. The Secretary of State shall post the complete cast vote record on its publicly accessible website as soon as the certified results are reported. [PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §19 (NEW).]

6. Application. This section applies to elections held on or after January 1, 2018. [IB 2015, c. 3, §5 (NEW); IB 2015, c. 3, §6 (AFF).]

7. Procedures for using ranked-choice voting when National Popular Vote for President Act governs. In a presidential election determined by ranked-choice voting when the National Popular Vote for President Act governs the appointment of presidential electors, the following procedures are used to determine the presidential vote count, except that, notwithstanding subsection 3 , a statewide tie between the candidates in the final round may not be resolved and the provisions of subsection 4 regarding the modification of the ballot and count are permitted. A. As used in this subsection, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. (1) "Continuing presidential slate" means a presidential slate that has not been removed from consideration. (2) "Final round" means the round that ends with the result described in paragraph C , subparagraph (1). [PL 2023, c. 628, §4 (NEW).] B. If no presidential slate initially receives more than 50% of the first-choice votes, the ranked-choice voting count must be conducted under the supervision of the Secretary of State for successive rounds. [PL 2023, c. 628, §4 (NEW).] C. The ranked-choice voting count must proceed in rounds. In each round, the number of votes for each continuing presidential slate must be counted. Each continuing ballot counts as one vote for its highest-ranked continuing presidential slate for that round. Exhausted ballots are not counted for any continuing presidential slate. The round then ends with one of the following 2 potential outcomes. (1) If there are 2 or fewer continuing presidential slates, the vote counts of those continuing presidential slates are recorded as the results of the presidential vote counting process and no further rounds may occur. (2) If there are more than 2 continuing presidential slates, the last-place presidential slate is removed from consideration and a new round begins. [PL 2023, c. 628, §4 (NEW).] [PL 2023, c. 628, §4 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 610 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 610
21-A §610. Election transparency
Status: in_force

1. Guide to election procedures and training program for new municipal clerks. [PL 2025, c. 397, §31 (RP).]

2. Log of alleged violations. The Secretary of State shall implement a system for collecting and logging reports from residents of this State of alleged violations of this Title related to the conduct of statewide or federal elections. The log must categorize reported alleged violations and, if applicable, any action taken to address the alleged violation. Instructions for reporting alleged violations under this subsection must be posted at all polling places. [PL 2025, c. 397, §32 (AMD).]

3. Election report. Beginning December 15, 2025 and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over elections matters that includes a list of all election-related studies or reports issued by the Secretary of State after the date of the previous report as well as the following information regarding the most recent general election and all subsequent elections: A. A summary of the alleged violations of this Title related to the conduct of statewide or federal elections received and logged under subsection 2 ; [PL 2025, c. 397, §33 (AMD).] B. A summary of any post-election audits conducted; [PL 2021, c. 635, Pt. ZZ, §1 (NEW).] C. A summary of any recounts conducted, including a description of any discrepancies in vote totals and explanations for discrepancies when available; and [PL 2021, c. 635, Pt. ZZ, §1 (NEW).] D. Recommendations for remedying any problems identified in the election process at the state level. [PL 2025, c. 397, §34 (AMD).] [PL 2025, c. 397, §§33, 34 (AMD).]

4. Rules. The Secretary of State may adopt routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A to carry out the purposes of this section. [PL 2021, c. 635, Pt. ZZ, §1 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1052 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1052
21-A §1052. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1. Campaign. "Campaign" means any course of activities to influence the nomination or election of a candidate or to initiate or influence any of the following ballot measures: A. A people's veto referendum under the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 17; [PL 2011, c. 389, §26 (AMD).] B. A direct initiative of legislation under the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 18; [PL 2011, c. 389, §26 (AMD).] C. An amendment to the Constitution of Maine under Article X, Section 4; [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] D. A referendum vote on a measure enacted by the Legislature and expressly conditioned upon ratification by a referendum vote under the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 19; [PL 2011, c. 389, §26 (AMD).] E. The ratification of the issue of bonds by the State or any agency thereof; and [PL 1989, c. 504, §§21, 31 (AMD).] F. Any county or municipal referendum. [PL 1995, c. 483, §17 (AMD).] [PL 2011, c. 389, §26 (AMD).]

2. Committee. "Committee" means any political action committee or ballot question committee and includes any agent of a political action committee or ballot question committee. [PL 2021, c. 217, §3 (AMD).]

2-A. Ballot question committee. "Ballot question committee" means a person that receives contributions or makes expenditures aggregating in excess of $5,000 for the purpose of initiating or influencing a campaign, other than a campaign for the nomination or election of a candidate. The term "ballot question committee" does not include a political action committee or an exempt donor. [PL 2021, c. 217, §3 (NEW).]

3. Contribution. "Contribution" includes: A. A gift, subscription, loan, advance or deposit of money or anything of value made to or received by a committee for the purpose of initiating or influencing a campaign, including but not limited to: (1) Funds that the contributor specified were given, in whole or in part, in connection with a campaign; (2) Funds provided in response to a solicitation that would lead the contributor to believe that the funds would be used specifically, in whole or in part, for the purpose of initiating or influencing a campaign; and (3) Funds that can reasonably be determined to have been provided by the contributor for the purpose of initiating or influencing a campaign when viewed in the context of the contribution and the recipient committee's activities regarding a campaign; [PL 2021, c. 217, §3 (AMD).] A-1. Any funds deposited or transferred into the campaign account described in section 1054 ; [PL 2021, c. 217, §3 (NEW).] B. [PL 2025, c. 224, §17 (RP).] C. Any funds received by a committee that are to be transferred to any candidate, committee, campaign or organization for the purpose of initiating or influencing a campaign; or [PL 2021, c. 217, §3 (AMD).] D. The payment, by any person or organization, of compensation for the personal services of other persons provided to a committee that is used by the committee to initiate or influence a campaign. [PL 2021, c. 217, §3 (AMD).] "Contribution" does not include a loan of money by a financial institution made in accordance with applicable banking laws and regulations and in the ordinary course of business. [PL 2025, c. 224, §17 (AMD).]

3-A. Exempt donor. "Exempt donor" means a person that has not received contributions for the purpose of influencing a campaign in the prior 2 years and whose only payments of money to influence a campaign in the prior 2 years are: A. Contributions of money to candidates, party committees, political action committees or ballot question committees registered with the commission or a municipality; or [PL 2021, c. 217, §3 (NEW).] B. Payments for goods or services with an aggregate value of no more than $100,000 contributed to candidates, party committees, political action committees or ballot question committees registered with the commission or a municipality. [PL 2021, c. 217, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 217, §3 (NEW).]

4. Expenditure. The term "expenditure": A. Includes: (1) A purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value, made for the purpose of initiating or influencing a campaign; (1-A) Any purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money made from the campaign account described in section 1054 ; (2) A contract, promise or agreement, expressed or implied, whether or not legally enforceable, to make any expenditure for the purposes set forth in this paragraph; and (3) The transfer of funds by a political action committee to another candidate or political committee; and [PL 2021, c. 217, §3 (AMD).] B. Does not include: (1) Any news story, commentary or editorial distributed through the facilities of any broadcasting station, cable television system, newspaper, magazine or other periodical publication, unless these facilities are owned or controlled by any political party, political committee, candidate or the spouse or domestic partner of a candidate; (2) Activity designed to encourage individuals to register to vote or to vote, if that activity or communication does not mention a clearly identified candidate; (3) Any communication by any membership organization or corporation to its members or stockholders, if that membership organization or corporation is not organized primarily for the purpose of influencing the nomination or election of any person to state or county office; (4) The use of real or personal property and the cost of invitations, food and beverages, voluntarily provided by a political action committee in rendering voluntary personal services for candidate-related activities, if the cumulative value of these activities by the political action committee on behalf of any candidate does not exceed $250 with respect to any election; (5) Any unreimbursed travel expenses incurred and paid for by a political action committee that volunteers personal services to a candidate, if the cumulative amount of these expenses does not exceed $100 with respect to any election; (6) Any communication by a committee that is not made for the purpose of influencing the nomination or election of any person to state or county office; and (7) Any payments to initiate a people's veto referendum or the direct initiative of legislation made prior to the submission of an application to the Department of the Secretary of State as provided in section 901 . [PL 2021, c. 217, §3 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 217, §3 (AMD).]

4-A. Influence. "Influence" means to promote, support, oppose or defeat. [PL 2011, c. 389, §30 (NEW).]

4-B. Initiate. "Initiate" includes the collection of signatures on petitions and related activities to qualify a state or local initiative or referendum for the ballot. [PL 2025, c. 224, §18 (AMD).]

4-C. Leadership political action committee. [PL 2023, c. 244, §11 (RP).]

5. Political action committee. The term "political action committee": A. Includes: (1) Any separate or segregated fund established by any corporation, membership organization, cooperative or labor or other organization that receives contributions or makes expenditures aggregating more than $2,500 in a calendar year for the purpose of influencing the nomination or election of a candidate to political office; and (5) Any person, including any corporation or association, other than an individual, that receives contributions or makes expenditures aggregating more than $2,500 in a calendar year for the purpose of influencing the nomination or election of any candidate to political office; and [PL 2021, c. 217, §3 (AMD).] B. Does not include: (1) A candidate or a candidate's treasurer under section 1013‑A, subsection 1 ; (2) A candidate's authorized political committee under section 1013‑A, subsection 1, paragraph B ; (3) A party committee under section 1013‑A, subsection 3 ; or (4) An exempt donor. [PL 2021, c. 217, §3 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 217, §3 (AMD).]

6. Separate segregated fund committee. [PL 2023, c. 244, §12 (RP).]
21-A M.R.S. § 808 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 808
21-A §808. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1991, c. 347, §5 (NEW).]

1. Automatic tabulating equipment. "Automatic tabulating equipment" means any apparatus that automatically examines and counts votes recorded on paper ballots and tabulates the results. [PL 2001, c. 310, §58 (AMD).]

1-A. Accessible voting system. "Accessible voting system" means a voting system that is accessible for individuals with disabilities, including nonvisual accessibility for the blind and visually impaired, in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation, including privacy and independence, as for other voters. [PL 2007, c. 455, §48 (NEW).]

2. Ballot or paper ballot. "Ballot" or "paper ballot" means the printed paper ballot on which votes may be recorded in the layout and format required to conform to the electronic voting system in use. [PL 1991, c. 347, §5 (NEW).]

3. Ballot card. [PL 2001, c. 310, §59 (RP).]

4. Ballot labels. "Ballot labels" means the pages, cards or other material containing the names of offices and candidates and the referendum questions to be voted on that are placed on the voting device to conform with the voting system in use. [PL 1991, c. 347, §5 (NEW).]

5. Counting center. "Counting center" means one or more locations selected by the municipal officers for the automatic counting of ballots. [PL 1991, c. 347, §5 (NEW).]

5-A. Direct recording electronic voting machine. "Direct recording electronic voting machine" means a system that records votes by means of a ballot display provided with mechanical, electro-optical or electro-audio components that can be activated by the voter, that processes data by means of a computer program and that records voting data in memory components. A direct recording electronic voting machine produces a tabulation of the voting data stored in a removable memory component and on a printed copy. [PL 2003, c. 651, §1 (NEW).]

6. Electronic tabulating system. "Electronic tabulating system" means a mark-sense voting system where the paper ballots are subsequently counted and tabulated by an electronic tabulating device at one or more counting centers. "Electronic tabulating system" includes all the software and firmware required to program and control the equipment in the respective system. [PL 2001, c. 310, §60 (AMD).]

7. Marking device. "Marking device" means any special marking implements or fluorescent or opaque inks that are required for marking paper ballots, depending on the type of system in use. [PL 2001, c. 310, §61 (AMD).]

8. Mark-sense voting system. "Mark-sense voting system" means a system in which votes are recorded on paper ballots by making marks in special voting response locations using a marking device. The votes on the paper ballots are subsequently counted and tabulated by an electronic tabulating device at one or more counting centers. [PL 1995, c. 459, §84 (AMD).]

8-A. Mechanical lever voting machine. "Mechanical lever voting machine" means a machine that directly records a voter's choices via mechanical lever-actuated controls into a counting mechanism that tallies the votes without using a physical ballot. [PL 2003, c. 651, §2 (NEW).]

8-B. Punch card voting machine. "Punch card voting machine" means a machine that transmits a voter's choices onto either a prescored or unscored ballot via mechanically punched holes that are then read and tallied by the machine. [PL 2003, c. 651, §2 (NEW).]

9. Punch card voting system. [PL 2001, c. 310, §62 (RP).]

10. Voting device. "Voting device" means the voting machine or electronic tabulating system apparatus that the voters use to record their votes on paper ballots or on a tabulating card. [PL 1995, c. 459, §84 (AMD).]

11. Voting machine. "Voting machine" means an apparatus on which voters cast their votes that records each vote by means of mechanical or electronic counters and furnishes a total of the number of votes cast for each candidate and for and against each referendum measure. [PL 2001, c. 310, §63 (AMD).]

12. Voting system. "Voting system" means the total combination of mechanical, electromechanical or electronic equipment, including the software, firmware and documentation required to program, control and support the equipment, that is used to define or produce ballots, to cast and count votes, to report or display election results and to maintain and produce any audit trail information. [PL 2007, c. 455, §49 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 780 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 780
21-A §780. Absentee ballots; application
Status: in_force

A uniformed service voter or an overseas voter may request an absentee ballot as provided in section 753‑A or by submitting a federal application or form requesting an absentee ballot as provided in section 783 . With respect to any election for federal office, a clerk or the Secretary of State may not refuse to accept or process any otherwise valid voter registration application or absentee ballot application submitted by a uniformed service voter or an overseas voter on the grounds that the voter submitted the application more than 3 months before the election for which the application will be used. An application or request for an absentee ballot for a uniformed service voter or overseas voter that is accepted pursuant to section 753‑A or section 783 remains valid for 18 months from the date of receipt of the application and entitles the voter to receive absentee ballots for all federal and state elections during that period. [PL 2013, c. 131, §24 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1054-B — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1054-B
21-A §1054-B. Payments to Legislators by political action committees and ballot question committees
Status: in_force

1. Payments to Legislators. If a Legislator is a principal officer or treasurer of a political action committee or a ballot question committee or is one of the individuals primarily responsible for raising contributions or making decisions for a political action committee or a ballot question committee, the committee is subject to the following restrictions regarding payments to that Legislator. A. Except as provided in paragraphs B and C , the committee may not compensate the Legislator for services provided to the committee. [PL 2021, c. 276, §1 (NEW).] B. The committee may pay for or reimburse the Legislator for travel expenses incurred in the proper performance of the Legislator's legislative duties and in volunteering for the committee. If the Legislator uses the Legislator's vehicle when conducting the activities described in this paragraph, the committee may pay the Legislator mileage reimbursement at a rate established by the commission by rule but may not pay for or reimburse the Legislator for the direct costs of repairing or maintaining the Legislator's vehicle. [PL 2021, c. 276, §1 (NEW).] C. The committee may pay for or reimburse the Legislator for other expenses incurred in the proper performance of the Legislator's legislative duties and for purchases made by the Legislator on behalf of the committee. [PL 2021, c. 276, §1 (NEW).] D. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the committee may not pay for or reimburse the Legislator for any expenses that have been or will be paid for or reimbursed by the Legislature or any other source of payment or reimbursement. [PL 2021, c. 276, §1 (NEW).] E. The committee may not make any payments for or reimburse the Legislator for any expenses that are determined by the commission to be for the purpose of personal financial enrichment of the Legislator. [PL 2021, c. 276, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 276, §1 (NEW).]

2. Payments to immediate family members and businesses. If a Legislator is a principal officer or treasurer of a political action committee or a ballot question committee or is one of the individuals primarily responsible for raising contributions or making decisions for a political action committee or a ballot question committee, the committee is subject to the following restrictions regarding payments to an immediate family member of the Legislator or a business owned or operated by the Legislator or an immediate family member of the Legislator. A. The committee may not compensate an immediate family member of the Legislator for services provided to the committee. [PL 2021, c. 276, §1 (NEW).] B. The committee may not make payments to or distribute, loan, advance, deposit or give money or anything of value to or compensate a business owned or operated by the Legislator or an immediate family member of the Legislator. [PL 2021, c. 276, §1 (NEW).] C. The committee may not make any payments for or reimburse the immediate family member of a Legislator for any expenses that are determined by the commission to be for the purpose of personal financial enrichment of the immediate family member of the Legislator. [PL 2021, c. 276, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 276, §1 (NEW).]

3. Commingling of funds. If a Legislator is a principal officer or treasurer of a political action committee or a ballot question committee or is one of the individuals primarily responsible for raising contributions or making decisions for a political action committee or a ballot question committee, the committee's funds may not be commingled with the personal funds of the Legislator or the funds of a business owned or operated by the Legislator or any other person. [PL 2021, c. 276, §1 (NEW).]

4. Penalties. A political action committee or ballot question committee that violates subsection 1 , 2 or 3 commits a civil violation for which a fine of not more than $500 or the amount of the impermissible payment or reimbursement, whichever is greater, may be imposed by the commission according to the procedures set forth in section 1004‑A . A Legislator who accepts a payment or reimbursement from a committee that is prohibited by subsection 1 or who violates subsection 3 commits a civil violation for which a fine of not more than $500 or the amount of the impermissible payment or reimbursement, whichever is greater, may be imposed by the commission according to the procedures set forth in section 1004‑A . [PL 2021, c. 276, §1 (NEW).]

5. Rules. The commission may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section, including rules establishing mileage reimbursement rates, record-keeping requirements and reporting requirements and rules related to reimbursable travel expenses. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2021, c. 276, §1 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 25 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 1 / Section 25
21-A §25. Ditto marks
Status: in_force

Ditto marks may be used, wherever practicable, in the preparation of lists required under this Title. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 630 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 630
21-A §630. Accessible voting places for persons with physical disabilities
Status: in_force

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms have the following meanings: A. "Accessible voting place" means a voting place in a building in which the part of the building set aside for voting meets the requirements for accessible routes described in Title 5, chapter 337, subchapter 5 . [PL 2011, c. 613, §24 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 613, §29 (AFF).] B. [PL 1999, c. 252, §1 (RP).] [PL 2011, c. 613, §24 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 613, §29 (AFF).]

2. Voting places. By April 1, 2000, all publicly owned buildings that are used as voting places must be accessible as defined in subsection 1 . By July 1, 2001, each municipality shall ensure that all privately owned facilities used by the municipality as voting places are accessible as defined in subsection 1 . A. [PL 1995, c. 459, §53 (RP).] B. [PL 1999, c. 252, §1 (RP).] [PL 1999, c. 252, §1 (AMD).]

3. Alternative paper ballots. [PL 1999, c. 252, §1 (RP).]
21-A M.R.S. § 603 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 603
21-A §603. Sample ballots
Status: in_force

Sample ballots are governed by the following provisions. [PL 1997, c. 436, §77 (AMD).]

1. Secretary of State to prepare. The Secretary of State shall prepare the sample ballots. A. The words "SAMPLE BALLOT" in bold type, the title and date of the election, and the name of the voting district must be printed at the top of the ballot. The facsimile of the state seal may not be printed on it. It must be printed flat. Otherwise, it must be printed substantially the same as a regular ballot. [PL 2007, c. 455, §20 (AMD).] B. The ballot must be printed on paper of a distinctive color. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] [PL 2007, c. 455, §20 (AMD).]

2. When furnished. The Secretary of State shall send a reasonable number of sample ballots to the clerk for posting as provided in section 625 and for voter information. [PL 2007, c. 455, §21 (AMD).]

3. Available for publication. Within a reasonable time before the election, the Secretary of State shall make sample ballots available for publication in all newspapers having general circulation in the area to which the ballots pertain. A single sample ballot so published may carry the name of each candidate for State Senator and Representative to the Legislature in the area covered by the circulation of the newspaper. The name of the voting district need not be printed on the published sample ballot. [PL 1997, c. 436, §77 (AMD).]

4. Candidate or nominee to fill vacancy. [PL 1995, c. 459, §38 (RP).]

4-A. Clerk to review sample ballots. Upon receipt, the clerk shall review the sample ballots for accuracy and must immediately notify the Secretary of State of any errors. [PL 1997, c. 436, §77 (AMD).]

4-B. Duplication of sample ballots. Sample ballots may be duplicated as needed at the clerk's own discretion. [PL 1997, c. 436, §77 (AMD).]

5. Sample ballot instructions printed in French language. The Secretary of State shall prepare ballot instructions in the French language, to be printed on a separate sheet of paper that may conveniently be attached to sample ballots. The Secretary of State shall furnish these ballot instruction sheets upon request by the clerk of a municipality. [PL 1997, c. 436, §77 (AMD).]

6. Violation; unofficial specimen ballot. [PL 1985, c. 383, §9 (RP).]
21-A M.R.S. § 554 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 8 / Section 554
21-A §554. Exclusion from nomination, election and service
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person who is prohibited from service in an office as set forth in section 553 may not be nominated for or elected to that office. A responsible electoral official may not accept or certify such a person's nomination or nomination petition for an office subject to this chapter. A responsible electoral official may not print or cause to be printed such a person's name on a ballot, ballot label, calendar or other similar instrument for election to an office subject to this chapter. This section applies to nominations occurring and ballots printed after January 1, 1996. [IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1014 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1014
21-A §1014. Publication or distribution of political public communications
Status: in_force

1. Authorized by candidate. Whenever a person makes an expenditure to finance a public communication expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate, the public communication, if authorized by a candidate, a candidate's authorized political committee or a candidate's or a candidate's authorized political committee's agents, must clearly and conspicuously state that the public communication has been so authorized and must clearly state the name and address of the person who made or financed the expenditure for the public communication. A public communication financed by a candidate or the candidate's committee is not required to state the address of the candidate or committee that financed the public communication. If a public communication that is financed by someone other than the candidate or the candidate's authorized committee is broadcast by radio, only the city and state of the address of the person who financed the public communication must be stated. [PL 2025, c. 224, §7 (AMD).]

2. Not authorized by candidate. If a public communication described in subsection 1 is not authorized by a candidate, a candidate's authorized political committee or a candidate's or a candidate's authorized political committee's agents, the public communication must clearly and conspicuously state that the public communication is not authorized by any candidate and state the name and address of the person who made or financed the expenditure for the public communication, except that a public communication broadcast by radio is only required to state the city and state of the address of the person that financed the public communication. If the public communication is in written form, the public communication must contain at the bottom of the public communication in print that is no smaller in size than 12-point bold print, Times New Roman font, the words "NOT PAID FOR OR AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE." [PL 2025, c. 224, §7 (AMD).]

2-A. Other public communications. Whenever a person makes an expenditure to finance a public communication that names or depicts a clearly identified candidate and that is disseminated during the 28 days, including election day, before a primary election, during the 35 days, including election day, before a special election or during the period of time from Labor Day to the election day for a general election, the public communication must state the name and address of the person who made or financed the public communication and a statement that the public communication was or was not authorized by the candidate, except that a public communication broadcast by radio is only required to state the city and state of the address of the person that financed the public communication. The disclosure is not required if the public communication was not made for the purpose of influencing the candidate's nomination for election or election. [PL 2025, c. 224, §7 (AMD).]

2-B. Top 3 funders; independent expenditures. A public communication that is funded by an entity making an independent expenditure as defined in section 1019‑B, subsection 1 must conspicuously include the following statement: "The top 3 funders of (name of entity that made the independent expenditure) are (names of top 3 funders)." The information required by this subsection may appear simultaneously with any statement required by subsection 2 or 2‑A . A public communication that contains a visual aspect must include the statement in written text. A public communication that does not contain a visual aspect must include an audible statement. This statement is required only for public communications made through broadcast, cable or satellite systems; Internet audio and video programming; direct mail; or newspaper or other periodical publications. A broadcast, cable or satellite television communication or Internet video communication must include both an audible and a written statement. For a broadcast, cable or satellite television communication or Internet video communication 60 seconds or less in duration, the audible statement may be omitted. The top funders named in the required statement consist of the funders providing the highest dollar amount of funding to the entity making the independent expenditure since the day following the most recent general election day. A. For purposes of this subsection, "funder" includes: (1) Any entity that has made a contribution as defined in section 1052, subsection 3 to the entity making the independent expenditure since the day following the most recent general election day; and (2) Any entity that has given a gift, subscription, loan, advance or deposit of money or anything of value, except for transactions in which a fair value is given in return, since the day following the most recent general election day. [PL 2025, c. 224, §7 (AMD).] B. If funders have given equal amounts, creating a tie in the ranking of the top 3 funders, the tie must be broken by naming the tying funders in chronological order of the receipt of funding until 3 funders are included in the statement. If the chronological order cannot be discerned, the entity making the independent expenditure may choose which of the tying funders to include in the statement. A public communication may not be required to include the names of more than 3 funders. [PL 2025, c. 224, §7 (AMD).] C. The statement required under this subsection is not required to include the name of any funder who has provided less than $1,000 to the entity making the independent expenditure since the day following the most recent general election day. [IB 2015, c. 1, §3 (NEW).] D. If only one or 2 funders must be included pursuant to this subsection, the public communication must identify the number of funders as "top funder" or "top 2 funders" as appropriate. If there are no funders required to be included under this subsection, no statement is required. [PL 2025, c. 224, §7 (AMD).] E. When compiling the list of top funders, an entity making an independent expenditure may disregard any funds that the entity can show were used for purposes unrelated to the candidate mentioned in the public communication on the basis that funds were either spent in the order received or were strictly segregated in other accounts. [PL 2025, c. 224, §7 (AMD).] F. The statement required under this subsection is not required in any public communication consisting of an audio broadcast of 60 seconds or less or a print communication of 20 square inches or less. [PL 2025, c. 224, §7 (AMD).] G. If the list of funders changes during the period in which a recurring public communication is aired or published, the statement appearing in the public communication must be updated at the time that any additional payments are made for that public communication. [PL 2025, c. 224, §7 (AMD).] H. The commission may establish by routine technical rule, adopted in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A , forms and procedures for ensuring compliance with this subsection. Rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph must ensure that the information required by this subsection is effectively conveyed for a sufficient duration and in a sufficient font size or screen size when applicable without undue burden on the ability of the entity to make the public communication. The rules must also provide an exemption for types of public communications for which the required statement would be impossible or impose an unusual hardship due to the unique format or medium of the public communication. [PL 2025, c. 224, §7 (AMD).] [PL 2025, c. 224, §7 (AMD).]

3. Broadcasting prohibited without disclosure. A person operating a broadcast, cable or satellite system within this State may not broadcast any public communication, as described in subsections 1 to 2‑A , without an oral or written visual announcement of the disclosure required by this section. [PL 2025, c. 224, §7 (AMD).]

3-A. In-kind contributions of printed materials. A candidate, political committee or political action committee shall report on the campaign finance report as a contribution to the candidate, political committee or political action committee any contributions of in-kind printed materials to be used in the support of a candidate or in the support or defeat of a ballot question. Any in-kind contributions of printed materials used or distributed by a candidate, political committee or political action committee must include the name or title of that candidate, political committee or political action committee as the authorizing agent for the printing and distribution of the in-kind contribution. [PL 2009, c. 190, Pt. A, §3 (AMD).]

3-B. Newspapers. A newspaper may not publish a public communication described in subsections 1 to 2‑A without including the disclosure required by this section. For purposes of this subsection, "newspaper" includes any printed material intended for general circulation or to be read by the general public, including a version of the newspaper displayed on a website owned or operated by the newspaper. When necessary, a newspaper may seek the advice of the commission regarding whether or not a communication requires the disclosure. [PL 2025, c. 224, §7 (AMD).]

4. Enforcement. A violation of this section may result in a civil penalty of no more than 100% of the amount of the expenditure in violation, except that an expenditure for yard signs lacking the required information may result in a maximum civil penalty of $200. In assessing a civil penalty, the commission shall consider, among other things, how widely the public communication was disseminated, whether the violation was intentional, whether the violation occurred as the result of an error by a printer or other paid vendor and whether the public communication conceals or misrepresents the identity of the person who financed it. If the person who financed the public communication or who committed the violation corrects the violation within 10 days after receiving notification of the violation from the commission by adding the missing information to the public communication, the commission may decide to assess no civil penalty. [PL 2025, c. 224, §7 (AMD).]

5. Telephone calls. [PL 2025, c. 224, §7 (RP).]

5-A. Text messages. Text messages sent with the assistance of mass distribution technology that is paid for by a person must clearly and conspicuously state the name of the person who made or financed the expenditure if: A. The text message expressly advocates the election or defeat of a candidate; or [PL 2023, c. 324, §8 (NEW).] B. The text message contains a link to a website that expressly advocates the election or defeat of a candidate. [PL 2023, c. 324, §8 (NEW).] [PL 2023, c. 324, §8 (NEW).]

5-B. Websites of candidate or political committee. A website or other Internet application available to the general public that is established by a party committee or a person that is required to register with the commission as a candidate or political action committee and that expressly advocates for the election or defeat of a candidate or that names a clearly identified candidate during the 28 days, including election day, before a primary election, during the 35 days, including election day, before a special election or during the period of time from Labor Day to the election day for a general election must state the name and address of the person who made or financed the expenditure for the website or other Internet application and state that the website or other Internet application was or was not authorized by the candidate. [PL 2025, c. 224, §7 (NEW).]

6. Exclusions. The requirements of this section do not apply to: A. Handbills or other literature produced and distributed at a cost not exceeding $100 and prepared by one or more individuals who are not required to register or file campaign finance reports with the commission and who are acting independently of and without authorization by a candidate, candidate's authorized campaign committee, party committee, political action committee or ballot question committee or an agent of a candidate, candidate's authorized campaign committee, party committee, political action committee or ballot question committee; [PL 2011, c. 389, §13 (NEW).] B. Campaign signs produced and distributed at a cost not exceeding $100, paid for by one or more individuals who are not required to register or file campaign finance reports with the commission and who are acting independently of and without authorization by a candidate, candidate's authorized campaign committee, party committee, political action committee or ballot question committee or an agent of a candidate, candidate's authorized campaign committee, party committee, political action committee or ballot question committee; [PL 2013, c. 494, §2 (AMD).] C. Internet and e-mail activities costing less than $100, as excluded by rule of the commission, paid for by one or more individuals who are not required to register or file campaign finance reports with the commission and who are acting independently of and without authorization by a candidate, candidate's authorized campaign committee, party committee, political action committee or ballot question committee or an agent of a candidate, candidate's authorized campaign committee, party committee, political action committee or ballot question committee; [PL 2013, c. 494, §2 (AMD).] D. Public communications in which the name or address of the person who made or authorized the expenditure for the public communication would be so small as to be illegible or infeasible, including public communications on items such as ashtrays, badges and badge holders, balloons, campaign buttons, clothing, coasters, combs, emery boards, envelopes, erasers, glasses, key rings, letter openers, matchbooks, nail files, noisemakers, paper and plastic cups, pencils, pens, plastic tableware, 12-inch or shorter rulers, swizzle sticks, tickets to fundraisers and similar items determined by the commission to be too small and unnecessary for the disclosures required by this section and in electronic media advertisements where compliance with this section would be impractical due to size or character limitations; [PL 2025, c. 224, §7 (AMD).] E. Campaign signs that are financed by the candidate or candidate's authorized committee and that clearly identify the name of the candidate and are lettered or printed individually by hand; [PL 2025, c. 224, §7 (AMD).] F. Prerecorded automated telephone calls paid for by the candidate that use the candidate's voice in the telephone call and that are made in support of that candidate; and [PL 2025, c. 224, §7 (NEW).] G. Telephone surveys that meet generally accepted standards for polling research and that are not conducted for the purpose of influencing the voting position of call recipients. [PL 2025, c. 224, §7 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 224, §7 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 854 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 854
21-A §854. Test of electronic tabulating equipment
Status: in_force

The clerk shall have the electronic tabulating equipment tested prior to the polls opening to ascertain that it accurately counts the votes cast for all offices and on all measures. The test must be conducted by processing a preaudited group of ballots marked to record a predetermined number of valid votes for each candidate and on each measure. In the presence of one or more witnesses, the clerk shall clearly mark each ballot used for testing with the word "TEST" across the front side of the ballot in red indelible ink. The test must include one or more ballots that have votes for each office in excess of the number allowed by law in order to test the ability of the electronic tabulating equipment to reject those votes. In this test, valid votes must be assigned to each candidate for an office and for and against each measure. If any error is detected, the cause for the error must be ascertained and corrected and an errorless count must be made and certified by the clerk before the polls open on election day. The test ballots, the hand tally and the tapes generated as a result of the tests must be packed and sealed in a container labeled "Test Ballots." The container must remain sealed for at least 2 months after the election, unless needed for recount purposes. The tests provided for in this section must be open to the public. [PL 2025, c. 397, §58 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1004-C — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1004-C
21-A §1004-C. Enhanced penalties for violations with aggravating circumstances
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any maximum penalty otherwise set forth in this chapter, when assessing a penalty or monetary sanction, the commission may double the authorized penalty or monetary sanction for a violation occurring less than 28 days prior to an election day and may triple the authorized penalty or monetary sanction for a violation occurring less than 14 days prior to an election day. [IB 2015, c. 1, §2 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 756 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 756
21-A §756. Procedure on receipt
Status: in_force

When the clerk receives a return envelope apparently containing an absentee ballot, the clerk shall observe the following procedures. [PL 2009, c. 538, §9 (AMD).]

1. Time of receipt noted. The clerk shall note the date and time of delivery on each return envelope. On request, the clerk shall give the person who delivers the ballot a receipt, stating the exact time of delivery. [PL 2009, c. 538, §9 (AMD).]

2. Clerk to examine signatures and affidavit. The clerk shall compare the signature of the voter on the application, when required, with that on the corresponding return envelope. The clerk shall also examine the affidavit and witness certification, if any, on the return envelope. A. If the signatures appear to have been made by the same person and if the affidavit and witness certification are properly completed, when required, the clerk shall write "OK" and the clerk's initials on the return envelope. If the affidavit and witness certification are properly completed, when required, and the signatures do not appear to have been made by the same person, but this discrepancy is apparently the result of the voter's having properly obtained assistance under either section 753‑A, subsection 5 , or section 754‑A, subsection 3 , or both, then the clerk shall note the discrepancy on the return envelope, but shall also write "OK" and the clerk's initials on the return envelope. [PL 2021, c. 273, §22 (AMD).] B. If the voter provided a telephone number or e-mail address with the voter's absentee ballot application and if the clerk determines that there is a discrepancy in the signature on the return envelope that is not described in paragraph A, that the return envelope is missing a signature or that the affidavit or witness certification on the return envelope is not properly completed, the clerk shall notify the voter pursuant to section 756‑A of the process by which the voter may cure the defect with the return envelope. (1) If the defect is corrected under the procedures in section 756‑A prior to the deadline for returning absentee ballots under section 755 , the clerk shall initial the return envelope, indicate whether the ballot is accepted or accepted but challenged as provided in section 756‑A and, if the ballot is challenged, indicate the basis for the challenge. (2) If the defect is not corrected under the procedures in section 756‑A prior to the deadline for returning absentee ballots under section 755 , the clerk shall initial the return envelope and indicate that the ballot is accepted but challenged or rejected as provided in section 756‑A and the basis for rejecting or challenging the ballot. [PL 2021, c. 273, §22 (NEW).] C. If the voter did not provide a telephone number or e-mail address with the voter's absentee ballot application and if the clerk determines that there is a discrepancy in the signature on the return envelope that is not described in paragraph A , the clerk shall initial the return envelope and indicate that the ballot is accepted but challenged under section 673, subsection 1 and indicate the basis for the challenge. The clerk is not required to conduct a hearing described in section 673, subsection 7 when a clerk accepts but challenges an absentee ballot under this paragraph. If the voter did not provide a telephone number or e-mail address with the voter's absentee ballot application and if the clerk determines that the return envelope is missing a signature or that the affidavit or witness certification on the return envelope is not properly completed, the clerk shall initial the return envelope and indicate that the ballot is rejected and the basis for rejecting the ballot. [PL 2021, c. 273, §22 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 273, §22 (AMD).]

3. Application attached. The clerk shall attach each application, where required, to the corresponding envelope. The clerk may not open any return envelope. [PL 2009, c. 538, §9 (AMD).]

4. Lists prepared. [PL 2001, c. 310, §55 (RP).]

5. Envelopes and lists delivered. On election day, the clerk shall deliver or have delivered the return envelopes prescribed by section 752, subsection 3 , with the applications, when required, attached and a copy of the list required by section 753‑B, subsection 6 , to the warden of the voting district in which the voter is registered, except in those municipalities where the clerk or the clerk's designee processes the absentee ballots centrally. In those municipalities where the absentee ballots are processed centrally, the clerk shall deliver or have delivered the materials described in this subsection to the person authorized by the clerk to process absentee ballots at the designated central location. After processing the absentee ballots, the warden or the clerk shall attach the copy of the list of absentee voters to the incoming voting list and seal it as provided in section 698 . [PL 2003, c. 447, §32 (AMD).]

6. Procedure when duplicate envelopes received from same voter. If more than one return envelope is received from the same voter who was authorized to receive a 2nd state absentee ballot pursuant to section 753‑B , then the clerk or warden shall process and count the ballot from the envelope marked "second ballot issued" or bearing the latest date and time and shall reject and keep sealed the first absentee envelope. If more than one return envelope is received from the same voter who was not authorized to receive a 2nd state absentee ballot pursuant to section 753‑B , then the clerk or warden shall process and count the ballot from the envelope bearing the earliest date and time. If only one return envelope is received from a voter who was authorized to receive a 2nd state absentee ballot pursuant to section 753‑B , then the clerk or warden shall process and count that ballot for all offices or questions for which the voter was entitled to vote. [PL 2003, c. 447, §33 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 813 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 813
21-A §813. Rules on use
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State may make reasonable rules governing the use of voting machines in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act. [PL 1991, c. 347, §7 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1003 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1003
21-A §1003. Investigations by commission
Status: in_force

1. Investigations. The commission may undertake audits and investigations to determine whether a person has violated this chapter, chapter 14 or the rules of the commission. For this purpose, the commission may subpoena witnesses and records whether located within or without the State and take evidence under oath. A person or entity that fails to obey the lawful subpoena of the commission or to testify before it under oath must be punished by the Superior Court for contempt upon application by the Attorney General on behalf of the commission. The Attorney General may apply on behalf of the commission to the Superior Court or to a court of another state to enforce compliance with a subpoena issued to a nonresident person. Service of any subpoena issued by the commission may be accomplished by: A. Delivering a duly executed copy of the notice to the person to be served or to a partner or to any officer or agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of process on behalf of that person; [PL 2013, c. 162, §1 (NEW).] B. Delivering a duly executed copy of the notice to the principal place of business in this State of the person to be served; or [PL 2013, c. 162, §1 (NEW).] C. Mailing by registered or certified mail a duly executed copy of the notice, addressed to the person to be served, to the person's principal place of business. [PL 2013, c. 162, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2013, c. 162, §1 (AMD).]

2. Investigations requested. A person may apply in writing to the commission requesting an investigation as described in subsection 1 . The commission shall review the application and shall make the investigation if the reasons stated for the request show sufficient grounds for believing that a violation may have occurred. [PL 2011, c. 389, §4 (AMD).]

2-A. Confidentiality. [PL 2001, c. 535, §1 (RP).]

3. State Auditor. The State Auditor shall assist the commission in making investigations and in other phases of the commission's duties under this chapter, as requested by the commission, and has all necessary powers to carry out these responsibilities. [PL 1999, c. 426, §31 (AMD).]

3-A. Confidential records. Investigative working papers of the commission are confidential, except that the commission may disclose them to the subject of the audit or investigation, other entities as necessary for the conduct of an audit or investigation and law enforcement and other agencies for purposes of reporting, investigating or prosecuting a criminal or civil violation. For purposes of this subsection, "investigative working papers" means documents, records and other printed or electronic information in the following limited categories that are acquired, prepared or maintained by the commission during the conduct of an audit, investigation or other enforcement matter: A. Financial information not normally available to the public; [PL 2007, c. 571, §6 (NEW).] B. Information that, if disclosed, would reveal sensitive political or campaign information belonging to a party committee, political action committee, ballot question committee, candidate or candidate's political committee, or other person who is the subject of an audit, investigation or other enforcement matter, even if the information is in the possession of a vendor or 3rd party; [PL 2013, c. 470, §1 (AMD).] C. Information or records subject to a privilege against discovery or use as evidence; and [PL 2007, c. 571, §6 (NEW).] D. Intra-agency or interagency communications related to an audit or investigation, including any record of an interview, meeting or examination. [PL 2013, c. 470, §1 (AMD).] The commission may disclose investigative working papers or discuss them at a public meeting, except for the information or records subject to a privilege against discovery or use as evidence, if the information or record is relevant to a memorandum or interim or final report by the commission staff or a decision by the commission concerning an audit, investigation or other enforcement matter. A memorandum or report on the audit or investigation prepared by staff for the commission may be disclosed at the time it is submitted to the commission, as long as the subject of the audit or investigation has an opportunity to review it first to identify material that the subject of the audit or investigation considers privileged or confidential under some other provision of law. [PL 2023, c. 324, §6 (AMD).]

4. Attorney General. Upon the request of the commission, the Attorney General shall aid in any investigation, provide advice, examine any witnesses before the commission or otherwise assist the commission in the performance of its duties. The commission shall refer any apparent violations of this chapter to the Attorney General for prosecution. [PL 2001, c. 470, §5 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 355 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 355
21-A §355. Consent of candidate to be filed
Status: in_force

The written consent of each candidate must be filed either with that candidate's nomination petition or at any earlier time during which signatures may be collected under section 354 or, if applicable, subchapter 8. [PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §6 (AMD).]

1. Consent. The consent must contain a statement signed by the candidate that the candidate will accept the nomination of the general election. The Secretary of State shall provide a form on which the consent of the candidate is made that must include a list of the statutory and constitutional requirements of the office sought by the candidate. The statement may be printed as a part of the nomination petition. [PL 2011, c. 534, §12 (AMD).]

2. Single filing sufficient. A candidate need file only one consent. The consent is valid even though it may be part of a nomination petition which is void. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

3. Qualifications declared. The consent must contain a declaration of the candidate's place of residence and the fact that the candidate has not been enrolled in a party qualified to participate in a primary or general election after March 1st of that election year and that the candidate meets the qualifications of the office the candidate seeks. The candidate must verify by oath or affirmation before a notary public or other person authorized by law to administer oaths or affirmations that the declaration is true. If, pursuant to the challenge procedures in section 356 , any part of the declaration is found to be false by the Secretary of State, the consent and the nomination petition are void. The candidate must remain unenrolled from March 1st until the general election in order to remain qualified as an unenrolled candidate for the office sought in the nomination petition in that election year. Upon written request by the candidate to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State may treat the candidate's street name and number as confidential as long as the street name and number are not material to the candidate's qualifications to serve. A. Candidates for the office of county charter commission need not verify by oath or affirmation that they are not enrolled in a party. [PL 1989, c. 166, §3 (AMD).] [PL 2023, c. 389, §4 (AMD).]

4. Registrar certification required. The Secretary of State may not accept a candidate consent form unless it includes or is accompanied by the registrar certification required by section 353 . [PL 2025, c. 397, §23 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 307 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 307
21-A §307. Party designation
Status: reserved

A voter or group of voters seeking to participate as a party in a primary election under section 302 or 303 must choose a party designation that does not: [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1. Length. Exceed 3 words in length; [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

2. Use state name. Incorporate the name or an abbreviation of the name of the State; [PL 1999, c. 450, §11 (AMD).]

3. Use established party's designation. Incorporate the designation or an abbreviation of the designation of a party that is qualified to participate in a primary or general election under section 301 ; [PL 2003, c. 447, §8 (AMD).]

4. Use independent designation. Consist of the word "independent" without another descriptive word or words. The designation "independent," without another descriptive word or words, is reserved for use by candidates that are not enrolled in any qualified or proposed party; and [PL 2003, c. 447, §9 (AMD).]

5. Use obscene designation. Consist of or comprise language that is obscene, contemptuous, profane or prejudicial, promotes abusive or unlawful activity or violates any other provision of the laws of this State with respect to names. [PL 2007, c. 455, §13 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1203-C — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 15 / Section 1203-C
21-A §1203-C. State Senate districts
Status: in_force

For Legislatures beginning with the 131st Legislature, the State Senate consists of 35 Senators, with one Senator elected from each of the following districts. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

1. Senate District 1. Senate District 1, wholly located in Aroostook County, consists of the minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Allagash; Ashland; Caribou; Castle Hill; Caswell; Chapman; Connor Township; Cyr Plantation; Eagle Lake; Fort Fairfield; Fort Kent; Frenchville; Garfield Plantation; Grand Isle; Hamlin; Limestone; Madawaska; Mapleton; Masardis; Nashville Plantation; New Canada; New Sweden; Northwest Aroostook; Perham; Portage Lake; Square Lake; St. Agatha; St. Francis; St. John Plantation; Stockholm; Van Buren; Wade; Wallagrass; Washburn; Westmanland; Winterville Plantation; and Woodland. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

2. Senate District 2. Senate District 2 consists of: A. In Aroostook County, the minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Amity; Blaine; Bridgewater; Central Aroostook; Crystal; Dyer Brook; Easton; Glenwood Plantation; Hammond; Haynesville; Hersey; Hodgdon; Houlton; Island Falls; Linneus; Littleton; Ludlow; Macwahoc Plantation; Mars Hill; Merrill; Monticello; Moro Plantation; New Limerick; Oakfield; Orient; Presque Isle; Reed Plantation; Sherman; Smyrna; South Aroostook; Westfield; and Weston; and [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] B. In Penobscot County, the minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Chester; Drew Plantation; East Millinocket; Kingman Township; Mattawamkeag; Maxfield; Medway; Millinocket; Mount Chase; North Penobscot; Patten; Seboeis Plantation; Stacyville; and Woodville. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

3. Senate District 3. Senate District 3 consists of: A. In Kennebec County, the minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Benton; Clinton; and Unity Township; [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] B. In Penobscot County, the minor civil divisions of Dixmont; Etna; Newport; Plymouth; and Stetson; and [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] C. In Somerset County, the minor civil divisions of Canaan; Detroit; Madison; Norridgewock; Palmyra; Pittsfield; and Skowhegan. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

4. Senate District 4. Senate District 4 consists of: A. In Penobscot County, the minor civil divisions of Bradford; Charleston; Corinna; Corinth; Dexter; Exeter; Garland; Glenburn; Hudson; Kenduskeag; and Levant; and [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] B. Piscataquis County. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

5. Senate District 5. Senate District 5 consists of: A. In Franklin County, the minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Carrabassett Valley; Chesterville; East Central Franklin; Farmington; Industry; Kingfield; New Sharon; New Vineyard; Strong; Wilton; and Wyman Township; [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] B. In Kennebec County, the minor civil divisions of Rome and Vienna; and [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] C. In Somerset County, the minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Anson; Athens; Bingham; Brighton Plantation; Cambridge; Caratunk; Central Somerset; Cornville; Dennistown Plantation; Embden; Harmony; Hartland; Highland Plantation; Jackman; Mercer; Moose River; Moscow; New Portland; Northeast Somerset; Northwest Somerset; Pleasant Ridge Plantation; Ripley; Seboomook Lake; Smithfield; Solon; St. Albans; Starks; The Forks Plantation; and West Forks Plantation. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

6. Senate District 6. Senate District 6 consists of: A. In Hancock County, the minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Amherst; Aurora; Central Hancock; East Hancock; Eastbrook; Franklin; Gouldsboro; Great Pond; Hancock; Mariaville; Northwest Hancock; Osborn; Sorrento; Sullivan; Waltham; and Winter Harbor; and [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] B. Washington County. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

7. Senate District 7. Senate District 7 consists of: A. In Hancock County, the minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Bar Harbor; Blue Hill; Brooklin; Brooksville; Castine; Cranberry Isles; Deer Isle; Ellsworth; Frenchboro; Lamoine; Marshall Island; Mount Desert; Orland; Penobscot; Sedgwick; Southwest Harbor; Stonington; Surry; Swan's Island; Tremont; Trenton; and Verona Island; and [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] B. In Knox County, the minor civil division of Isle au Haut. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

8. Senate District 8. Senate District 8, wholly located in Penobscot County, consists of the minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Alton; Argyle Township; Burlington; Carroll Plantation; East Central Penobscot; Edinburg; Enfield; Greenbush; Howland; Lagrange; Lakeville; Lee; Lincoln; Lowell; Milford; Old Town; Orono; Passadumkeag; Penobscot Indian Island; Prentiss Township; Springfield; Twombly Ridge Township; Veazie; Webster Plantation; Whitney Township; and Winn. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

9. Senate District 9. Senate District 9, wholly located in Penobscot County, consists of the minor civil divisions of Bangor and Hermon. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

10. Senate District 10. Senate District 10 consists of: A. In Hancock County, the minor civil divisions of Bucksport; Dedham; and Otis; and [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] B. In Penobscot County, the minor civil divisions of Bradley; Brewer; Carmel; Clifton; Eddington; Hampden; Holden; Newburgh; and Orrington. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

11. Senate District 11. Senate District 11 consists of Waldo County. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

12. Senate District 12. Senate District 12, wholly located in Knox County, consists of the minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Appleton; Camden; Criehaven; Cushing; Friendship; Hope; Matinicus Isle Plantation; Muscle Ridge Islands; North Haven; Owls Head; Rockland; Rockport; South Thomaston; St. George; Thomaston; Union; Vinalhaven; and Warren. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

13. Senate District 13. Senate District 13 consists of: A. In Kennebec County, the minor civil division of Windsor; [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] B. In Lincoln County, the minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Alna; Boothbay; Boothbay Harbor; Bremen; Bristol; Damariscotta; Edgecomb; Hibberts Gore; Jefferson; Louds Island; Monhegan Plantation; Newcastle; Nobleboro; Somerville; South Bristol; Southport; Waldoboro; Westport Island; Whitefield; and Wiscasset; and [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] C. In Knox County, the minor civil division of Washington. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

14. Senate District 14. Senate District 14, wholly located in Kennebec County, consists of the minor civil divisions of Chelsea; Farmingdale; Gardiner; Hallowell; Manchester; Monmouth; Pittston; Randolph; Readfield; Wayne; West Gardiner; and Winthrop. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

15. Senate District 15. Senate District 15, wholly located in Kennebec County, consists of the minor civil divisions of Augusta; Belgrade; China; Mount Vernon; Sidney; and Vassalboro. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

16. Senate District 16. Senate District 16 consists of: A. In Kennebec County, the minor civil divisions of Albion; Oakland; Waterville; and Winslow; and [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] B. In Somerset County, the minor civil division of Fairfield. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

17. Senate District 17. Senate District 17 consists of: A. In Androscoggin County, the minor civil divisions of Greene; Leeds; Lisbon; Livermore; Livermore Falls; Sabattus; Turner; and Wales; and [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] B. In Kennebec County, the minor civil divisions of Fayette and Litchfield. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

18. Senate District 18. Senate District 18 consists of: A. In Androscoggin County, the minor civil divisions of Mechanic Falls and Minot; [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] B. In Cumberland County, the minor civil divisions of Bridgton and Harrison; and [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] C. In Oxford County, the minor civil divisions of Brownfield; Denmark; Fryeburg; Hebron; Norway; Otisfield; Oxford; Paris; Sweden; and Waterford. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

19. Senate District 19. Senate District 19 consists of: A. In Franklin County, the minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Avon; Carthage; Coplin Plantation; Dallas Plantation; Eustis; Jay; North Franklin; Phillips; Rangeley; Rangeley Plantation; Sandy River Plantation; South Franklin; Temple; Weld; and West Central Franklin; and [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] B. In Oxford County, the minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Andover; Bethel; Buckfield; Byron; Canton; Dixfield; Gilead; Greenwood; Hanover; Hartford; Lincoln Plantation; Lovell; Magalloway Plantation; Mexico; Milton Township; Newry; North Oxford; Peru; Roxbury; Rumford; South Oxford; Stoneham; Stow; Sumner; Upton; West Paris; and Woodstock. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

20. Senate District 20. Senate District 20 consists of: A. In Androscoggin County, the minor civil divisions of Auburn; Durham; and Poland; and [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] B. In Cumberland County, the minor civil division of New Gloucester. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

21. Senate District 21. Senate District 21, wholly located in Androscoggin County, consists of the minor civil division of Lewiston. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

22. Senate District 22. Senate District 22 consists of: A. In Cumberland County, the minor civil divisions of Baldwin; Naples; Sebago; and Standish; [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] B. In Oxford County, the minor civil divisions of Hiram and Porter; and [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] C. In York County, the minor civil divisions of Acton; Cornish; Limerick; Limington; Newfield; Parsonsfield; and Shapleigh. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

23. Senate District 23. Senate District 23, wholly located in Cumberland County, consists of the minor civil divisions of Brunswick; Chebeague Island; Freeport; Harpswell; and Pownal; and the following census units in the minor civil division of Yarmouth: Blocks 230050044011005, 230050044011009, 230050044021000, 230050044021001, 230050044021002, 230050044021003, 230050044021004, 230050044021005, 230050044021006, 230050044021007, 230050044021008, 230050044021009, 230050044021010, 230050044021011, 230050044021012, 230050044021013, 230050044021014, 230050044021015, 230050044021016, 230050044021017, 230050044021018, 230050044021019, 230050044021020, 230050044021021, 230050044021022, 230050044021023, 230050044021024, 230050044021025, 230050044021026, 230050044021027, 230050044021028, 230050044021029, 230050044022000, 230050044022001, 230050044022002, 230050044022003, 230050044022004, 230050044022005, 230050044022006, 230050044022007, 230050044022008, 230050044024000, 230050044024010, 230050044024011 and 230050044024014. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

24. Senate District 24. Senate District 24 consists of: A. In Lincoln County, the minor civil division of Dresden; and [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] B. Sagadahoc County. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

25. Senate District 25. Senate District 25, wholly located in Cumberland County, consists of the minor civil divisions of Cumberland; Falmouth; Gray; and North Yarmouth; the following census units in the minor civil division of Long Island: Blocks 230050024003004, 230050024003005, 230050024003006, 230050024003007, 230050024003008, 230050024003009, 230050024003010, 230050024003011, 230050024003012, 230050024003013, 230050024003022, 230050024003023, 230050024003024, 230050024003025, 230050024003026, 230050024003027, 230050024003028, 230050024003029, 230050024003030, 230050024003031, 230050024003032 and 230050024003033; and the following census units in the minor civil division of Yarmouth: Blocks 230050044011000, 230050044011001, 230050044011002, 230050044011003, 230050044011004, 230050044011006, 230050044011007, 230050044011008, 230050044011010, 230050044011011, 230050044011012, 230050044011013, 230050044011014, 230050044011015, 230050044012000, 230050044012001, 230050044012002, 230050044012003, 230050044012004, 230050044012005, 230050044012006, 230050044012007, 230050044012008, 230050044012009, 230050044012010, 230050044012011, 230050044012012, 230050044012013, 230050044012014, 230050044012015, 230050044012016, 230050044012017, 230050044012018, 230050044012019, 230050044012020, 230050044012021, 230050044012022, 230050044012023, 230050044012024, 230050044012025, 230050044012026, 230050044012027, 230050044012028, 230050044013000, 230050044013001, 230050044013002, 230050044013003, 230050044013004, 230050044013005, 230050044013006, 230050044013007, 230050044013008, 230050044013009, 230050044013010, 230050044013011, 230050044013012, 230050044014000, 230050044014001, 230050044014002, 230050044014003, 230050044014004, 230050044014005, 230050044014006, 230050044014007, 230050044014008, 230050044014009, 230050044014010, 230050044014011, 230050044014012, 230050044014013, 230050044014014, 230050044014015, 230050044014016, 230050044014017, 230050044014018, 230050044014019, 230050044014020, 230050044014021, 230050044014022, 230050044014023, 230050044014024, 230050044014025, 230050044014026, 230050044014027, 230050044015000, 230050044015001, 230050044015002, 230050044015003, 230050044015004, 230050044015005, 230050044015006, 230050044015007, 230050044015008, 230050044015009, 230050044015010, 230050044015011, 230050044015012, 230050044023000, 230050044023001, 230050044023002, 230050044023003, 230050044023004, 230050044023005, 230050044023006, 230050044023007, 230050044023008, 230050044023009, 230050044023010, 230050044023011, 230050044024001, 230050044024002, 230050044024003, 230050044024004, 230050044024005, 230050044024006, 230050044024007, 230050044024008, 230050044024009, 230050044024012, 230050044024013, 230050044024015, 230050044024016, 230050044024017 and 230050044024018. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

26. Senate District 26. Senate District 26, wholly located in Cumberland County, consists of the minor civil divisions of Casco; Frye Island; Raymond; and Windham; and the following census units in the minor civil division of Westbrook: Blocks 230050026001000, 230050026001001, 230050026001002, 230050026001003, 230050026001004, 230050026001005, 230050026001006, 230050026001007, 230050026001008, 230050026001009, 230050026001011, 230050026001012, 230050026001013, 230050026001014, 230050026001015, 230050026001016, 230050026001017, 230050026001018, 230050026001019, 230050026001020, 230050026001021, 230050026001022, 230050026001023, 230050026001024, 230050026001025, 230050026001032, 230050026002000, 230050026002001, 230050026002002, 230050026002003, 230050026002004, 230050026002005, 230050026002006, 230050026002007, 230050026002008, 230050026002009, 230050026002010, 230050026002011, 230050026002012, 230050026002013, 230050026002014, 230050026002015, 230050027002000, 230050027002001, 230050027002004, 230050027002005, 230050027002012, 230050027003000, 230050027003001, 230050027003002, 230050027003003, 230050027003004, 230050027003005, 230050027003006, 230050027003007, 230050027003008, 230050027003009, 230050027003011, 230050027003012, 230050027003013, 230050027003014, 230050027003015, 230050027003016, 230050027003017, 230050027003018, 230050027003019, 230050028001000, 230050028001001, 230050028001002, 230050028001003, 230050028001004, 230050028001005, 230050028001006, 230050028001007, 230050028001008, 230050028001009, 230050028001010, 230050028001011, 230050028001012, 230050028001013, 230050028001014, 230050028001015, 230050028001016, 230050028001017, 230050028001018, 230050028001019, 230050028001020, 230050028001021, 230050028001022, 230050028001023, 230050028001024, 230050028001025, 230050028001026, 230050028001027, 230050028002000, 230050028002001, 230050028002002, 230050028002003, 230050028002004, 230050028002009, 230050028002010, 230050028002011, 230050028002012, 230050028002017, 230050028002018, 230050028002022, 230050028002023, 230050028002026, 230050029011007, 230050029011013, 230050029012010, 230050029012011, 230050029012012, 230050029012013, 230050029012014, 230050029012015, 230050029012016, 230050029012022, 230050029012023, 230050029012024, 230050029021000, 230050029021001, 230050029021002, 230050029021003, 230050029021004, 230050029021005, 230050029021006, 230050029021009, 230050029021010, 230050029021011, 230050029021012, 230050029021017, 230050029022000, 230050029022001, 230050029022002, 230050029022003, 230050029022004, 230050029022005, 230050029022006, 230050029022007, 230050029022008, 230050029022009, 230050029022010, 230050029022011, 230050029022012, 230050029022013, 230050029022014, 230050029023000, 230050029023001, 230050029023002, 230050029023003, 230050029023004, 230050029023005, 230050029023006, 230050029023007, 230050029023008, 230050029023009, 230050029023010, 230050029023011, 230050029023012, 230050029023013, 230050029023014, 230050029023015 and 230050029023016. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

27. Senate District 27. Senate District 27, wholly located in Cumberland County, consists of the following census units in the minor civil division of Portland: Tract 001700; Tract 001900; Tract 002001; Tract 002101; Tract 002102; and Blocks 230050015002014, 230050018001002, 230050018001003, 230050018001004, 230050018001005, 230050018001008, 230050018001014, 230050018002001, 230050018002002, 230050018002003, 230050018002004, 230050018002005, 230050018003000, 230050018003001, 230050018003002, 230050018003003, 230050018003004, 230050018004000, 230050018004001, 230050018004002, 230050018004003, 230050018004004, 230050020021000, 230050020021001, 230050020021002, 230050020021003, 230050020021004, 230050020021005, 230050020021006, 230050020021007, 230050020021008, 230050020021009, 230050020021010, 230050020021011, 230050020021012, 230050020021013, 230050020021014, 230050020021015, 230050020021016, 230050020021017, 230050020021018, 230050020021019, 230050020021020, 230050020021021, 230050020021022, 230050020021023, 230050020021024, 230050020021025, 230050020021031, 230050020021047, 230050020022000, 230050020022001, 230050020022002, 230050020022003, 230050020022004, 230050020022005, 230050020022006, 230050020022007, 230050020022008, 230050020022009, 230050020022010, 230050020022011, 230050020022012, 230050020022013, 230050020022014, 230050020022015, 230050020022016, 230050020022017, 230050020022018, 230050020022019, 230050020022020, 230050020022021, 230050020022022, 230050020022023, 230050020022024, 230050020022025, 230050020022026, 230050020022027, 230050020022028, 230050020022029, 230050020022030, 230050020022031, 230050022001000, 230050022001001, 230050022001002, 230050022001003, 230050022001004, 230050022001005, 230050022001006, 230050022001007, 230050022001008, 230050022001009, 230050022001010, 230050022001011, 230050022001012, 230050022001013, 230050022004000, 230050022004001, 230050022004002, 230050022004003, 230050022004004, 230050022004005, 230050022004006, 230050022004007, 230050022004008 and 230050022004009; and the following census units in the minor civil division of Westbrook: Tract 001700; Tract 001900; Tract 002001; Tract 002101; Tract 002102; and Blocks 230050026001026, 230050026001027, 230050026001028, 230050026001029, 230050026001030, 230050026001031, 230050026001033, 230050026001034, 230050027001000, 230050027001001, 230050027001002, 230050027001003, 230050027001004, 230050027001005, 230050027001006, 230050027001007, 230050027001008, 230050027001009, 230050027001010, 230050027001011, 230050027001012, 230050027001013, 230050027001014, 230050027001015, 230050027001016, 230050027001017, 230050027001018, 230050027001019, 230050027002002, 230050027002003, 230050027002006, 230050027002007, 230050027002008, 230050027002009, 230050027002010, 230050027002011, 230050027002013, 230050027002014, 230050027002015, 230050027003010, 230050028002005, 230050028002006, 230050028002007, 230050028002008, 230050028002013, 230050028002014, 230050028002015, 230050028002016, 230050028002019, 230050028002020, 230050028002021, 230050028002024, 230050028002025, 230050028002027, 230050029011000, 230050029011001, 230050029011002, 230050029011003, 230050029011004, 230050029011005, 230050029011006, 230050029011008, 230050029011009, 230050029011010, 230050029011011, 230050029011012, 230050029012000, 230050029012001, 230050029012002, 230050029012003, 230050029012004, 230050029012005, 230050029012006, 230050029012007, 230050029012008, 230050029012009, 230050029012017, 230050029012018, 230050029012019, 230050029012020, 230050029012021, 230050029021007, 230050029021008, 230050029021013, 230050029021014, 230050029021015 and 230050029021016. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

28. Senate District 28. Senate District 28, wholly located in Cumberland County, consists of the following census units in the minor civil division of Portland: Tract 000100; Tract 000200; Tract 000300; Tract 000500; Tract 000600; Tract 001000; Tract 001100; Tract 001200; Tract 001300; Tract 002300; and Blocks 230050015001000, 230050015001001, 230050015001002, 230050015001003, 230050015001004, 230050015001005, 230050015001006, 230050015001007, 230050015001008, 230050015001009, 230050015001010, 230050015001011, 230050015001012, 230050015001013, 230050015001014, 230050015001015, 230050015001016, 230050015001017, 230050015001018, 230050015001019, 230050015001020, 230050015002000, 230050015002001, 230050015002002, 230050015002003, 230050015002004, 230050015002005, 230050015002006, 230050015002007, 230050015002008, 230050015002009, 230050015002010, 230050015002011, 230050015002012, 230050015002013, 230050015002015, 230050015002016, 230050015002017, 230050015002018, 230050015002019, 230050015002020, 230050015002021, 230050015002022, 230050015002023, 230050015002024, 230050015002025, 230050015002026, 230050015002027, 230050015002028, 230050015002029, 230050015002030, 230050015002031, 230050015002032, 230050015003000, 230050015003001, 230050015003002, 230050015003003, 230050015003004, 230050015003005, 230050015003006, 230050015003007, 230050015003008, 230050015003009, 230050015003010, 230050015003011, 230050015003012, 230050015003013, 230050015003014, 230050015003015, 230050015003016, 230050018001000, 230050018001001, 230050018001006, 230050018001007, 230050018001009, 230050018001010, 230050018001011, 230050018001012, 230050018001013, 230050018002000, 230050018002006, 230050018002007, 230050018002008, 230050018002009, 230050018002010, 230050018002011, 230050018002012, 230050018002013, 230050018002014, 230050018002015, 230050018002016, 230050018002017, 230050018002018, 230050018002019, 230050018002020, 230050018002021, 230050018002022, 230050018002023, 230050018002024, 230050018002025, 230050018002026, 230050018004005, 230050018004006, 230050018004007, 230050020021026, 230050020021027, 230050020021028, 230050020021029, 230050020021030, 230050020021032, 230050020021033, 230050020021034, 230050020021035, 230050020021036, 230050020021037, 230050020021038, 230050020021039, 230050020021040, 230050020021041, 230050020021042, 230050020021043, 230050020021044, 230050020021045, 230050020021046, 230050020021048, 230050022002000, 230050022002001, 230050022002002, 230050022002003, 230050022002004, 230050022002005, 230050022002006, 230050022002007, 230050022002008, 230050022002009, 230050022002010, 230050022003000, 230050022003001, 230050022003002, 230050022003003, 230050022003004, 230050022003005, 230050022003006, 230050022003007, 230050022003008, 230050022003009, 230050024001000, 230050024001001, 230050024001002, 230050024001003, 230050024001004, 230050024001005, 230050024001006, 230050024001007, 230050024001008, 230050024001009, 230050024001010, 230050024001011, 230050024001012, 230050024001013, 230050024001014, 230050024001015, 230050024001016, 230050024001017, 230050024001018, 230050024001019, 230050024001020, 230050024001021, 230050024001022, 230050024001023, 230050024001024, 230050024001025, 230050024001026, 230050024001027, 230050024001028, 230050024001029, 230050024001030, 230050024001031, 230050024001032, 230050024001033, 230050024001034, 230050024001035, 230050024001036, 230050024001037, 230050024001038, 230050024001039, 230050024001040, 230050024001041, 230050024001042, 230050024001043, 230050024001044, 230050024001045, 230050024001046, 230050024001047, 230050024001048, 230050024001049, 230050024001050, 230050024001051, 230050024001052, 230050024001053, 230050024001054, 230050024002000, 230050024002001, 230050024002002, 230050024002003, 230050024002004, 230050024002005, 230050024002006, 230050024002007, 230050024002008, 230050024002009, 230050024002010, 230050024002011, 230050024002012, 230050024002013, 230050024002014, 230050024002015, 230050024002016, 230050024002017, 230050024002018, 230050024002019, 230050024002020, 230050024002021, 230050024002022, 230050024002023, 230050024002024, 230050024002025, 230050024002026, 230050024003000, 230050024003001, 230050024003002, 230050024003003, 230050024003014, 230050024003016, 230050024003017, 230050024003018, 230050024003019, 230050024003020 and 230050024003021. [RR 2021, c. 2, Pt. A, §53 (COR).]

29. Senate District 29. Senate District 29, wholly located in Cumberland County, consists of the minor civil divisions of Cape Elizabeth and South Portland; and the following census units in the minor civil division of Scarborough: Blocks 230050173033010, 230050173033011, 230050173033012, 230050173033013, 230050173053001, 230050173053003, 230050173053011, 230050173081000, 230050173081001, 230050173081002, 230050173081003, 230050173081004, 230050173081005, 230050173081006, 230050173081007, 230050173081008, 230050173081009, 230050173081011, 230050173081012, 230050173081013, 230050173081014, 230050173083041, 230059900000018, 230059900000019, 230059900000020, 230059900000023 and 230059900000025. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

30. Senate District 30. Senate District 30, wholly located in Cumberland County, consists of the minor civil division of Gorham and the following census units in the minor civil division of Scarborough: Tract 017306; Tract 017307; and Blocks 230050173031000, 230050173031001, 230050173031002, 230050173031003, 230050173031004, 230050173031005, 230050173031006, 230050173031007, 230050173031008, 230050173031009, 230050173031010, 230050173031011, 230050173031012, 230050173031013, 230050173031014, 230050173031015, 230050173031016, 230050173031017, 230050173031018, 230050173031019, 230050173031020, 230050173031021, 230050173031022, 230050173031023, 230050173032000, 230050173032001, 230050173032002, 230050173032003, 230050173032004, 230050173032005, 230050173032006, 230050173032007, 230050173032008, 230050173032009, 230050173032010, 230050173032011, 230050173032012, 230050173032013, 230050173032014, 230050173032015, 230050173032016, 230050173032017, 230050173032018, 230050173032019, 230050173032020, 230050173032021, 230050173032022, 230050173032023, 230050173033000, 230050173033001, 230050173033002, 230050173033003, 230050173033004, 230050173033005, 230050173033006, 230050173033007, 230050173033008, 230050173033009, 230050173051000, 230050173051001, 230050173051002, 230050173051003, 230050173051004, 230050173051005, 230050173051006, 230050173051007, 230050173051008, 230050173051009, 230050173051010, 230050173051011, 230050173051012, 230050173051013, 230050173051014, 230050173051015, 230050173051016, 230050173051017, 230050173051018, 230050173051019, 230050173051020, 230050173051021, 230050173051022, 230050173051023, 230050173051024, 230050173051025, 230050173051026, 230050173052000, 230050173052001, 230050173052002, 230050173052003, 230050173052004, 230050173052005, 230050173052006, 230050173052007, 230050173052008, 230050173052009, 230050173052010, 230050173052011, 230050173052012, 230050173052013, 230050173052014, 230050173052015, 230050173052016, 230050173052017, 230050173052018, 230050173052019, 230050173052020, 230050173052021, 230050173052022, 230050173052023, 230050173053000, 230050173053002, 230050173053004, 230050173053005, 230050173053006, 230050173053007, 230050173053008, 230050173053009, 230050173053010, 230050173053012, 230050173053013, 230050173053014, 230050173053015, 230050173053016, 230050173053017, 230050173053018, 230050173053019, 230050173053020, 230050173053021, 230050173053022, 230050173053023, 230050173053024, 230050173053025, 230050173053026, 230050173053027, 230050173053028, 230050173053029, 230050173053030, 230050173053031, 230050173053032, 230050173053033, 230050173053034, 230050173053035, 230050173053036, 230050173053037, 230050173053038, 230050173053039, 230050173053040, 230050173053041, 230050173053042, 230050173053043, 230050173053044, 230050173053045, 230050173081010, 230050173082000, 230050173082001, 230050173082002, 230050173082003, 230050173082004, 230050173082005, 230050173082006, 230050173082007, 230050173082008, 230050173082009, 230050173082010, 230050173082011, 230050173082012, 230050173082013, 230050173082014, 230050173082015, 230050173082016, 230050173082017, 230050173082018, 230050173082019, 230050173082020, 230050173082021, 230050173082022, 230050173082023, 230050173082024, 230050173082025, 230050173082026, 230050173082027, 230050173082028, 230050173083000, 230050173083001, 230050173083002, 230050173083003, 230050173083004, 230050173083005, 230050173083006, 230050173083007, 230050173083008, 230050173083009, 230050173083010, 230050173083011, 230050173083012, 230050173083013, 230050173083014, 230050173083015, 230050173083016, 230050173083017, 230050173083018, 230050173083019, 230050173083020, 230050173083021, 230050173083022, 230050173083023, 230050173083024, 230050173083025, 230050173083026, 230050173083027, 230050173083028, 230050173083029, 230050173083030, 230050173083031, 230050173083032, 230050173083033, 230050173083034, 230050173083035, 230050173083036, 230050173083037, 230050173083038, 230050173083039, 230050173083040, 230050173083042 and 230050173083043. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

31. Senate District 31. Senate District 31, wholly located in York County, consists of the minor civil divisions of Buxton; Old Orchard Beach; and Saco. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

32. Senate District 32. Senate District 32, wholly located in York County, consists of the minor civil divisions of Arundel; Biddeford; Dayton; Hollis; and Lyman. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

33. Senate District 33. Senate District 33, wholly located in York County, consists of the minor civil divisions of Alfred; Lebanon; Sanford; and Waterboro. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

34. Senate District 34. Senate District 34, wholly located in York County, consists of the minor civil divisions of Berwick; Kennebunk; Kennebunkport; North Berwick; and Wells. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

35. Senate District 35. Senate District 35, wholly located in York County, consists of the minor civil divisions of Eliot; Kittery; Ogunquit; South Berwick; and York. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 505 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 7 / Section 505
21-A §505. Municipal clerk
Status: in_force

The clerk of the municipality is the supervisor of all elections and is entitled to a reasonable compensation as determined by the municipal officers and has the following duties: [PL 1995, c. 459, §34 (NEW).]

1. Absentee voting. Administer the absentee voting procedures; [PL 1995, c. 459, §34 (NEW).]

2. Instruction. Instruct election officials on election laws and procedures prior to election day; [PL 1995, c. 459, §34 (NEW).]

3. Election officials. Coordinate and schedule election officials to work at the polls on election day; [PL 1995, c. 459, §34 (NEW).]

4. Poll watchers and others. Make arrangements in advance of election day for poll watchers, petition circulators and others who request to be present at the polls; [PL 1995, c. 459, §34 (NEW).]

5. Election materials and equipment. Prepare and deliver to and from the polls all election equipment and materials, including the ballots; [PL 1995, c. 459, §34 (NEW).]

6. Advise warden. Advise the warden on election laws and procedures on election day; [PL 1995, c. 459, §34 (NEW).]

7. Report to the Secretary of State. Report the return of votes cast and other voter registration or election information to the Secretary of State upon request or as otherwise required by this Title. The clerk shall notify the Secretary of State of the name of the clerk and any deputy or assistant clerks within 10 days after the official is elected or appointed and sworn by revising the election official's information listing within the central voter registration system; [PL 2005, c. 568, §12 (AMD).]

7-A. Training. Attend a training session that is approved by the Secretary of State at least once every 2 years in regard to the conduct of elections. The training must include, but is not limited to, training on the de-escalation of conflicts and the process for reporting threats to or harassment of public officials related to the conduct of federal, state or municipal elections to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall offer training sessions regionally at least once every 2 years at no fee. The Secretary of State shall encourage municipalities to provide training biennially to all election officials; and [PL 2021, c. 568, §4 (AMD).]

8. Other duties. Perform any other duties required for conducting an election. [PL 1995, c. 459, §34 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 357 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 357
21-A §357. Candidates certified by the Secretary of State
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State shall immediately certify by mail the nomination of each person nominated by petition. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1305 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 17 / Section 1305
21-A §1305. Contingent effective date; withdrawal; notification; severability - Article 4
Status: in_force

This agreement takes effect when states cumulatively possessing a majority of the electoral votes have enacted this agreement in substantially the same form and the enactments by such states have taken effect in each state. [PL 2023, c. 628, §9 (NEW).]

Any member state may withdraw from this agreement, except that a withdrawal occurring 6 months or less before the end of a President's term does not become effective until a President or Vice President has been qualified to serve the next term. [PL 2023, c. 628, §9 (NEW).]

The chief executive of each member state shall promptly notify the chief executive of all other states when this agreement has been enacted and has taken effect in that official's state, when the state has withdrawn from this agreement and when this agreement takes effect generally. [PL 2023, c. 628, §9 (NEW).]

This agreement terminates if the electoral college is abolished. [PL 2023, c. 628, §9 (NEW).]

If any provision of this agreement is held invalid, the remaining provisions are not affected. [PL 2023, c. 628, §9 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1061 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1061
21-A §1061. Dissolution of committees
Status: in_force

Whenever any committee determines that it will no longer accept any contributions or make any expenditures, the committee shall file a termination report that includes all financial activity from the end date of the previous reporting period through the date of termination with the commission. The committee shall dispose of any surplus prior to termination. In the termination report, the committee shall report any outstanding loan, debt or obligation in the manner prescribed by the commission. [PL 2019, c. 563, §17 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1053-B — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1053-B
21-A §1053-B. Out-of-state committees
Status: in_force

An organization that is registered as a political action committee, ballot question committee or political committee with the Federal Election Commission or a jurisdiction outside of this State shall register and file reports with the commission in accordance with this subchapter upon receiving contributions or making expenditures to initiate or influence a campaign in the State in excess of the amounts that would require registration under section 1052‑A . The committee is not required to register and file reports if the committee's only financial activity within the State is to make contributions to candidates, party committees, political action committees or ballot question committees registered with the commission or a municipality and the committee has not raised and accepted any contributions during the calendar year to influence a campaign in this State. [PL 2019, c. 563, §6 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 601 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 601
21-A §601. Ballot preparation
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State shall prepare the election ballots according to the following provisions. [PL 2001, c. 310, §29 (AMD).]

1. Arrangement. The ballots must be arranged in a manner that is as consistent and uniform as possible throughout the State, except that ranked‑choice contests must be grouped together and may be presented on the same page of the ballot as contests other than ranked-choice contests or on a separate ballot or ballot page from contests other than ranked-choice contests. [PL 2019, c. 320, §2 (AMD).]

2. Content. The ballot must contain the items listed in this section. A. Instructions must be printed on the ballot informing the voter how to designate the voter's choices on the ballot. Specific instructions must be presented above or next to the first contest of each type, such as ranked-choice contests, contests other than ranked-choice contests or referenda. [PL 2019, c. 320, §3 (AMD).] B. The ballot must contain the legal name of each candidate, without any title, and municipality or township of residence of each candidate, arranged alphabetically with the last name first, under the proper office designation. Municipality of residence is not required to be printed for candidates for President and Vice President of the United States. The initial letters of the last names of the candidates must be printed directly beneath each other in a vertical line. The names of candidates for any one office may not be split into more than one column regardless of number. The name of each candidate may be printed on the ballot in only one space. For the general election ballot, the party or political designation of each candidate must be printed with each candidate's name. The party or political designation may be abbreviated. [PL 2013, c. 131, §16 (AMD).] B-1. The candidate's name listed on the ballot must be the one approved by the Probate Court, pursuant to Title 18‑C, section 1‑701 , or, in the absence of an applicable court order, the name consistently used by the candidate during the past 2 years in filings with governmental agencies and in the transaction of public business, including without limitation transactions relating to voter registration; motor vehicle registrations; driver licenses; a passport; professional licenses; local, state or federal permits of any kind; public benefit programs; and veterans' benefits and social security. Any request by a candidate to list that candidate's name on the ballot in a manner that differs from the name that appears on the candidate's consent form must be received by the Secretary of State no later than 70 days prior to the election. If requested by the Secretary of State when there is a question concerning which name should be listed on the ballot, it is the obligation of the candidate to provide documentation to demonstrate consistent use of a particular name. [PL 2025, c. 397, §29 (AMD).] C. When 2 United States Senators are to be nominated or elected, the term of office sought by each candidate must be specified on the ballot. [PL 2019, c. 371, §14 (AMD).] D. At the end of the list of candidates for each office, there must be left as many blank spaces as there are vacancies to be filled. These spaces may be used by a voter to write in the name of a person for whom the voter desires to vote, as provided in section 691, subsection 2 for a primary election or section 692, subsection 2 for a general election. [PL 2009, c. 253, §24 (AMD).] E. Words of explanation such as, "Vote for one" or "Vote for not more than 2" must be printed on the ballot to assist the voter in voting correctly. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] F. There must be a place on the ballot for the voter to designate the voter's choice. [PL 1993, c. 473, §13 (RPR); PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF).] G. There must be a heading on the ballot that contains the title of the election, the name of the voting district or districts for which the ballot was prepared, the date of the election and a facsimile of the state seal. For each party's primary ballot, the ballot heading must contain the name of the political party participating in the primary. [PL 2007, c. 455, §18 (AMD).] H. The name of each nominee or each candidate for nomination must appear on the ballot as follows: last name first followed by the first name and middle name or initial; last name first followed by the first name or the first initial and the middle name; or last name first followed by the first name. [PL 2019, c. 371, §15 (AMD).] I. For ballots that are double sided, each side of the ballot must include a clearly printed message at the bottom of the ballot reminding the voter to mark both sides of the ballot. [PL 2001, c. 310, §29 (NEW).] J. For elections determined by ranked-choice voting, the ballot must be simple and easy to understand and allow a voter to rank candidates for an office in order of preference. A voter may include no more than one write-in candidate among that voter's ranked choices for each office. [PL 2017, c. 316, §3 (AMD).] [PL 2025, c. 397, §29 (AMD).] Revisor's Note: The blocked paragraph of paragraph J, as created by Public Law 2017, chapter 316, section 3, was vetoed pursuant to a people's veto on June 12, 2018 in accordance with the Maine Constitution Article IV, Part Third, Section 17.

3. Order of offices. The order of offices on the ballot is as follows: President, United States Senator, Governor, Representative to Congress, State Senator and Representative to the Legislature, and the county offices in the following order: judge of probate, register of probate, county treasurer, register of deeds, sheriff, district attorney and county commissioner, except that the order may be modified to allow ranked-choice contests to be printed on the opposite side of the ballot, separate from contests other than ranked-choice contests. [PL 2021, c. 273, §10 (AMD).]

4. Distinctively colored. When possible, election ballots must be printed on white paper. Each political party participating in a primary election must have a separate ballot. The paper for each party's primary ballot must be printed or distinguished with a different color marking as determined by the Secretary of State. For municipalities that include more than one single member district of the State Senate or the House of Representatives, or parts of more than one single member district, the Secretary of State may prepare ballots with one or more distinctive color markings for each single member district or part of a single member district within the municipality. [PL 2001, c. 310, §29 (AMD).]

5. Size. The Secretary of State shall determine the size of the ballots. With the permission of the Secretary of State, the clerk may make a reasonable number of enlarged ballots in order to assist voters who are visually impaired. The clerk may also make a reasonable number of enlarged instruction posters and enlarged sample ballots at the clerk's own discretion. A voter who is visually impaired may request of the clerk an enlarged ballot or an enlarged sample ballot to assist the voter. The clerk shall record and report to the Secretary of State the number of enlarged ballots made for visually impaired voters. [PL 2001, c. 310, §29 (NEW).]

6. Contents concealed. The ballots may be folded uniformly so that the interior contents are concealed, except in municipalities using electronic tabulating systems. [PL 2001, c. 310, §29 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 196-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 196-A
21-A §196-A. Use and distribution of central voter registration system information
Status: in_force

1. Access to data from the central voter registration system. For the purposes of Title 1, section 402 , information contained electronically in the central voter registration system and any information or reports generated by the system are confidential and may be accessed only by municipal and state election officials for the purposes of election and voter registration administration, and by others only as provided in this section. A. An individual voter may obtain any information contained in that voter's record within the central voter registration system either from the registrar in the voter's municipality of residence or from the Secretary of State. The individual voter information must be made available to that voter upon request and free of charge. The Secretary of State may design a report to facilitate providing information to an individual voter. [PL 2009, c. 564, §8 (NEW).] B. A political party, or an individual or organization engaged in so-called "get out the vote" efforts directly related to a campaign or other activities directly related to a campaign, or an individual who has been elected or appointed to and is currently serving in a municipal, county, state or federal office, may purchase a list or report of certain voter information from the central voter registration system by making a request to the Secretary of State or to a registrar if the information requested concerns voters in that municipality. The Secretary of State or the registrar shall make available the following voter record information, subject to the fees set forth in subsection 2 : the voter's name, residence address, mailing address, year of birth, enrollment status, electoral districts, voter status, date of registration, date of change of the voter record if applicable, voter participation history, voter record number and any special designations indicating uniformed service voters, overseas voters or township voters. A person obtaining, either directly or indirectly, information from the central voter registration system under this paragraph may not: (1) Sell, transfer to another person or use the voter information or any part of the voter information for any purpose that is not directly related to activities of a political party, "get out the vote" efforts directly related to a campaign or other activities directly related to a campaign; or (2) Cause the voter information or any part of the voter information that identifies, or that could be used with other information to identify, a specific voter, including but not limited to a voter's name, residence address or street address, to be made accessible by the general public on the Internet or through other means. This paragraph does not prohibit a political party, party committee, candidate committee, political action committee or any other organization that purchased voter information from the central voter registration system from providing access to such information to its members, volunteers or employees for purposes directly related to party activities, "get out the vote" efforts or a campaign. For purposes of this paragraph, "campaign" has the same meaning as in section 1052, subsection 1 . [PL 2021, c. 310, §1 (AMD).] C. The registrar shall make available, in electronic form and free of charge, upon the request of any person authorized under section 312 to obtain a municipal caucus list, the following voter record information for each voter in the municipality: the voter's name, residence address, mailing address, enrollment status, electoral districts, voter status, voter record number and any special designation indicating whether the voter is a uniformed service voter, overseas voter or township voter. The Secretary of State also shall make available the statewide caucus list, in electronic form and free of charge, to the state committee of each political party. [PL 2009, c. 564, §8 (NEW).] D. A municipal clerk or registrar shall make available to any person upon request and free of charge an electronic list of voters who requested or were furnished absentee ballots for their municipality for a specified election. The Secretary of State may make available free of charge the statewide absentee voter list in electronic form. The electronic list must include the information provided in section 753‑B, subsection 6, paragraph A , except that the voter's record number must be provided instead of the voter's name and residence address. In addition, a municipal clerk or registrar shall make available upon request, subject to the fees set forth in subsection 2, paragraph A , the printed list, created and maintained pursuant to section 753‑B, of voters who requested or were furnished absentee ballots. [PL 2009, c. 564, §8 (NEW).] E. The Secretary of State or a registrar may make available, upon the request of any other governmental or quasi-governmental entity, certain voter information for that entity's authorized use only. The following information may be provided in electronic form and free of charge: the voter's name, year of birth, residence address, mailing address, electoral districts, voter status, date of registration or date of change of the voter record if applicable, voter record number and any special designations indicating uniformed service voters, overseas voters or township voters. Data made available under this paragraph may not be used for solicitation or for purposes other than the governmental or quasi-governmental entity's authorized activities and may not be redistributed. Authorized uses of the data by the Legislature include providing voter information to a Legislator for purposes of communicating with the Legislator's constituents and conducting legislative business. [PL 2011, c. 534, §11 (AMD).] F. The Secretary of State shall make available to any person upon request and free of charge the following voter record information in electronic form: either the voter's first name or last name, but not both names in the same report; year of birth; enrollment status; electoral districts to include congressional district and county only; voter status; date of registration or date of change of the voter record if applicable; date of the last statewide election in which the voter voted; and any special designations indicating uniformed service voters, overseas voters or township voters. The Secretary of State or the registrar also may make available to any person upon request and free of charge any report or statistical information that does not contain the names, dates of birth, voter record numbers or addresses of individual voters. [PL 2009, c. 564, §8 (NEW).] G. The Secretary of State or a registrar shall make available free of charge any information pertaining to individual voters, other than participants in the Address Confidentiality Program established in Title 5, section 90‑B , that is contained in the central voter registration system to a law enforcement officer or law enforcement agency that makes a written request to use the information for a bona fide law enforcement purpose or to a person identified by a court order if directed by that order. Information pertaining to individual voters who are Address Confidentiality Program participants that is contained in the central voter registration system may be made available for inspection to a law enforcement agency that is authorized by the Secretary of State pursuant to Title 5, section 90‑B to obtain Address Confidentiality Program information. Data made available under this paragraph may not be used for purposes other than law enforcement or as directed in the court order. [PL 2009, c. 564, §8 (NEW).] H. When responding to a request about a specific voter registered in a specific municipality, the registrar of that municipality or the Secretary of State may use information contained in the central voter registration system to provide the registration status, enrollment status and electoral districts for that voter. [PL 2009, c. 564, §8 (NEW).] I. The Secretary of State shall make available free of charge to the federal or state court system the voter registration information for voters, other than participants in the Address Confidentiality Program established in Title 5, section 90‑B , statewide or by district as requested for the purpose of jury selection or other bona fide court purposes. [PL 2013, c. 131, §10 (NEW).] J. [PL 2025, c. 397, §11 (RP).] K. A person may purchase, for the fee established in subsection 2 , a voter file from the Department of the Secretary of State to evaluate, monitor or seek compliance with laws relating to voting rights, election administration and voter registration. (1) A voter file purchased under this paragraph may contain the same data fields available to political parties and campaigns under paragraph B and may include data concerning cancelled voters for the period such data is retained in the central voter registration system. (2) The following information is designated highly sensitive personal information and may not be included in a voter file purchased under this paragraph: (a) A voter's full date of birth; (b) A voter's social security number, tax identification number, driver's license number or any portion of these numbers; (c) Any records or data concerning a voter who is certified by the Secretary of State as a program participant in the Address Confidentiality Program under Title 5, section 90‑B ; (d) If a voter has submitted a signed statement to the registrar under section 22, subsection 3, paragraph B , the voter's residential address and mailing address if the mailing address is the same as or discloses the voter's residence address; and (e) Any data relating to a declination to register to vote or to the identity of a voter registration agency through which any particular voter is registered. [PL 2025, c. 397, §12 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 397, §§11, 12 (AMD).]

2. Fees. For the purpose of calculating fees pursuant to this section, a record includes the information on one individual voter. Fees paid to the Secretary of State must be deposited into a dedicated fund for the purpose of offsetting the cost of providing the information and maintaining the central voter registration system and other authorized costs relating to compliance with the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002, Public Law 107-252, 116 Stat. 1666. A municipality may keep the fees paid to the municipality. The fees for information provided pursuant to this section are as follows: A. The fee for information provided in printed form is $1 for the first page and 25¢ per page for all additional pages, except that the fee for additional pages of mailing labels is 75¢ per page; and [PL 2009, c. 564, §8 (NEW).] B. The fee for information provided in electronic form is based on the number of records requested. The fee entitles the requestor to receive the initial electronic report or file and, upon request, up to 11 updates free of charge during the subsequent 12-month period, except that no more than one free update may be requested during any 30-day period. The fee schedule is as follows: (1) For 900,001 or more voter records, $2,200; (2) For 600,001 to 900,000 voter records, $1,650; (3) For 400,001 to 600,000 voter records, $1,100; (4) For 250,001 to 400,000 voter records, $825; (5) For 150,001 to 250,000 voter records, $550; (6) For 100,001 to 150,000 voter records, $275; (7) For 75,001 to 100,000 voter records, $220; (8) For 50,001 to 75,000 voter records, $182; (9) For 35,001 to 50,000 voter records, $138; (10) For 25,001 to 35,000 voter records, $83; (11) For 15,001 to 25,000 voter records, $55; (12) For 7,501 to 15,000 voter records, $33; (13) For 1,001 to 7,500 voter records, $22; or (14) For 1 to 1,000 voter records, $11. [PL 2009, c. 564, §8 (NEW).] [PL 2009, c. 564, §8 (NEW).]

3. Response to requests. Municipal clerks, registrars and the Secretary of State's office shall respond to all requests for information from the central voter registration system pursuant to this section within 5 business days of receipt of a written request and upon payment of any applicable fee. A municipal clerk or registrar may provide only information concerning voters registered within that municipal jurisdiction. The Secretary of State may design a form to be used for all requests for information or lists from the central voter registration system. [PL 2009, c. 564, §8 (NEW).]

4. Discrimination prohibited. An individual or organization that accesses or obtains voter information from the central voter registration system may not use that information or any part of that information to engage in discrimination on the basis of physical or mental disability, race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, ancestry or national origin, including but not limited to discrimination prohibited by the Maine Human Rights Act and federal civil rights laws. For purposes of this paragraph, "federal civil rights laws" means the following federal laws and statutes, as amended, and the regulations promulgated under those laws and statutes, as amended, as of January 1, 2021: A. Title II of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 United States Code, Sections 12131 to 12165; [PL 2021, c. 310, §3 (NEW).] B. Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 United States Code, Section 794; [PL 2021, c. 310, §3 (NEW).] C. Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 United States Code, Sections 2000d to 2000d-7; [PL 2021, c. 310, §3 (NEW).] D. The federal Older Americans Amendments of 1975, 42 United States Code, Sections 6101 to 6107; and [PL 2021, c. 310, §3 (NEW).] E. Title IX of the federal Education Amendments of 1972, 20 United States Code, Sections 1681 to 1688. [PL 2021, c. 310, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 310, §3 (NEW).]

5. Penalty. [PL 2025, c. 397, §13 (RP).]

6. Civil violations. The following uses of data from the central voter registration system are civil violations for which a fine of not more than $1,000 may be adjudged for a first violation, and not more than $5,000 may be adjudged for additional violations: A. Any use of data from the central voter registration system for a commercial purpose; [PL 2025, c. 397, §14 (NEW).] B. Any use of data from the central voter registration system for solicitation, other than solicitation relating to a political party or a campaign as defined in section 1052, subsection 1 ; [PL 2025, c. 397, §14 (NEW).] C. Any sale or resale of data from the central voter registration system except as authorized in subsection 1, paragraph B and subsection 1, paragraph K ; [PL 2025, c. 397, §14 (NEW).] D. Any use of data from the central voter registration system in violation of subsection 4 ; and [PL 2025, c. 397, §14 (NEW).] E. Any use of data from the central voter registration system purchased under subsection 1, paragraph B or subsection 1, paragraph K for purposes not authorized by those paragraphs. [PL 2025, c. 397, §14 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 397, §14 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 711 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 711
21-A §711. Preparation of returns
Status: in_force

As soon as the results of the election have been declared, the election return must be prepared. The warden at each ward or precinct shall fill out the election return form provided by the Secretary of State, showing the number of votes cast for each candidate or question and recording the total number of state ballots cast in that ward or precinct. For elections determined by ranked‑choice voting, the warden shall report on the election return only the first choice votes cast. The warden and one other election official shall sign the return and immediately deliver it to the municipal clerk. The form provided by the Secretary of State must include the names of all candidates, including declared write-in candidates as determined by section 722‑A . [PL 2019, c. 320, §7 (AMD).]

1. Single district municipality. In a municipality with a single voting district, the municipal clerk shall make an attested copy of the municipality return and immediately send it to the Secretary of State. [PL 2001, c. 310, §48 (RPR).]

2. Multidistrict municipality. In a municipality with multiple voting districts, the municipal clerk shall total the voting district returns and complete the total municipality return form provided by the Secretary of State. The clerk shall make an attested copy of each of the voting district returns and the total municipality return and immediately send them to the Secretary of State. [PL 2001, c. 310, §48 (RPR).]

2-A. Clerk to correct obvious errors. In making the attested copies of either the voting district returns or the municipality return, the clerk shall correct any errors in either the tabulating or recording of the count that are obvious based on the tally sheets or copies of the tally tapes available to the clerk. The clerk may not change the totals recorded on the precinct return prepared by the warden but shall make the correction to the attested copy with a notation of the basis for the correction. [PL 2001, c. 310, §48 (NEW).]

3. Clerk to file election return. The clerk shall file an attested copy of the election return with the Secretary of State within 2 business days after election day. If an attested copy of an election return is not delivered to the Secretary of State by 5 p.m. on the 2nd business day after an election, the Secretary of State may send a courier to the municipality concerned, and the clerk shall give that courier an attested copy of the return. The municipality shall reimburse the Secretary of State for the costs of the courier service. [PL 2019, c. 636, §14 (AMD).]

4. Authority to open tamper-proof ballot security containers. After giving notice to the state chair of each political party, the Secretary of State may authorize the municipal clerk, in the presence of one or more witnesses from each of the major parties, to open the sealed tamper-proof ballot security containers as described in section 609 holding used ballots to retrieve the incoming voting list or a copy of any election return forms that were improperly sealed in the containers. If there is a recount requested for a local election that was held at the same time as a state election, the Secretary of State may authorize these election officials to open the sealed tamper-proof ballot security containers to remove any local ballots that were sealed in the containers of state ballots, except that any requested state recount must be held prior to such authorization. The Secretary of State also may authorize these election officials to review and make copies of tabulation sheets that would assist in properly reporting or correcting the results recorded on election night, as well as to review machine-tabulated ballots that were hand counted because they were not read by the tabulator or because they contained write-in votes, and to correct errors in the hand tabulation. The clerk must reseal the containers and secure them for the remainder of the time required for retention of ballots under section 23 . [PL 2011, c. 534, §16 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1055 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1055
21-A §1055. Publication or distribution of political public communications
Status: in_force

A political action committee that makes an expenditure to finance a public communication expressly advocating the election or defeat of a candidate or that names or depicts a clearly identified candidate is subject to the requirements of section 1014 . [PL 2025, c. 224, §20 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 691 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 691
21-A §691. Marking ballots; primary election
Status: in_force

A voter shall mark the ballot at a primary election as instructed in the directions on the ballot. [PL 1993, c. 473, §21 (AMD); PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF).]

1. Individual candidate method. The voter must mark the ballot as instructed in the directions on the ballot to indicate the name of each candidate for nomination for whom the voter wishes to vote. [PL 1993, c. 473, §21 (AMD); PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF).]

2. Write-in vote. If the voter wishes to vote for a write-in candidate, the voter must write the name of the candidate in the blank space provided next to the write-in indicator. The voter must then mark the write-in indicator as instructed on the ballot to indicate a vote for the write-in candidate. A sticker may not be used to vote for a write-in candidate. [PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §10 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 443 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 443
21-A §443. Ballot preparation
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State shall prepare ballots for a presidential primary election. A ballot must include the name of a person who files a petition with the Secretary of State in accordance with section 442 . The Secretary of State shall determine if a petition meets the requirements of sections 335 , 336 and 442, subject to challenge and appeal under section 337 . [PL 2019, c. 445, §4 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 682 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 682
21-A §682. Political activities
Status: in_force

Certain activities are prohibited on election day. [PL 2003, c. 447, §22 (RPR).]

1. Instruction limited. Within the voting place, a person may not instruct another in the method of marking the ballot, except as provided in section 672 . [PL 2003, c. 447, §22 (RPR).]

1-A. Definition. For the purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, "candidate" has the same meaning as in section 1, subsection 5 and includes a write-in candidate, as defined in section 1, subsection 51 . "Candidate" includes a candidate of any party designation and a candidate that is not enrolled in a political party. [PL 2025, c. 331, §1 (NEW).]

2. Influence prohibited. On public property within 250 feet of the entrance to the voting place as well as within the voting place itself, a person may not: A. Influence another person's decision regarding a candidate for an office that is on the ballot for the election that day, whether or not the candidate's name is on the ballot, or a question that is on the ballot for the election that day; or [PL 2025, c. 331, §2 (AMD).] B. Attempt to influence another person's decision regarding a candidate for an office that is on the ballot for the election that day, whether or not the candidate's name is on the ballot, or a question that is on the ballot for the election that day. [PL 2025, c. 331, §2 (AMD).] C. [PL 2003, c. 447, §22 (RP).] These limitations do not prohibit a candidate, or no more than one representative of a candidate, from greeting a voter if the candidate or representative of the candidate does not state the name of the office that the candidate is seeking in that election year or wear any button, name tag, apparel or label or have or use any item or sign displaying the candidate's name or the name of the office the candidate is seeking, engage in the conduct described in subsection 7 or otherwise express support for or opposition to a party, a candidate or a ballot question. [PL 2025, c. 331, §2 (AMD).]

2-A. Application. This subsection governs the application of subsection 2 . A. Subsection 2 does not apply to pollwatchers, who may remain in the voting place outside the guardrail enclosure as long as they do not attempt to influence voters or interfere with their free passage. [PL 2003, c. 447, §22 (NEW).] B. Subsection 2 does not prohibit media representatives from conducting an exit poll, as long as they do not solicit voters until after the voters have voted and do not orally communicate with voters in a way that influences a voter's vote. [PL 2003, c. 447, §22 (NEW).] C. If a person attempts to influence voters or interfere with their free passage, the warden shall have that person removed from the voting place. [PL 2003, c. 447, §22 (NEW).] [PL 2003, c. 447, §22 (NEW).]

3. Advertising prohibited. A person may not display advertising material; operate an advertising medium, including a sound amplification device; or display or distribute campaign literature, posters, palm cards, buttons, badges, stickers or apparel containing a candidate's name or otherwise intending to influence the opinion of any voter regarding a candidate for an office or question that is on the ballot for the election that day on any public property located within 250 feet of the entrance to either the voting place or the building in which the registrar's office is located. The term "sound amplification device" includes, but is not limited to, sound trucks, loudspeakers and blowhorns. A. This subsection does not apply to advertising material on automobiles traveling to and from the voting place for the purposes of voting. It does not prohibit a person who is at the polls solely for the purpose of voting from wearing a campaign button when the longest dimension of the button does not exceed 3 inches. [PL 2009, c. 253, §27 (AMD).] B. Nonpolitical advertising may be allowed as provided in section 683, subsection 3 . [PL 2025, c. 397, §42 (AMD).] C. [PL 2003, c. 447, §22 (RP).] [PL 2025, c. 397, §42 (AMD).]

4. Devices for audible communication. Party workers or others may not use cellular phones, voice pagers or similar devices to make audible voice communication within the voting place that is in violation of subsection 2 . [PL 2003, c. 447, §22 (NEW).]

5. Violation. A person who knowingly engages in activities prohibited by this section commits a Class E crime. [PL 2003, c. 447, §22 (NEW).]

6. Public property limited. For purposes of this section, "public property" does not include a public right-of-way across privately owned property if it is an easement right-of-way. [PL 2009, c. 253, §28 (NEW).]

7. Other political activities prohibited by candidates; collection of signatures; funding. On public property within 250 feet of the entrance to the voting place as well as within the voting place itself, a candidate or a representative of a candidate may not: A. Collect or solicit voter signatures on a petition in support of the candidate's candidacy for an office the candidate is seeking in that election year; [PL 2025, c. 331, §3 (NEW).] B. Collect or solicit contributions in support of the candidate's candidacy for an office the candidate is seeking in that election year. For the purposes of this paragraph, "contribution" has the same meaning as in section 1012, subsection 2 ; or [PL 2025, c. 331, §3 (NEW).] C. Collect or solicit qualifying contributions under the Maine Clean Election Act in support of the participating candidate's candidacy for an office the candidate is seeking in that election year. For the purposes of this paragraph, "participating candidate" has the same meaning as in section 1122, subsection 6 and "qualifying contribution" has the same meaning as in section 1122, subsection 7 . [PL 2025, c. 331, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 331, §3 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 375-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 375-A
21-A §375-A. Presidential and vice-presidential electors nominated by qualified parties
Status: in_force

If a party's candidate for presidential elector certified to the Secretary of State under section 322, subsection 2 dies, withdraws or becomes disqualified, the vacancy may be filled by a new presidential elector if the following conditions are met: [PL 2025, c. 397, §27 (NEW).]

1. Written resignation. A written resignation is filed with the Secretary of State by the previous presidential elector, if the mental and physical condition of the elector allows; and [PL 2025, c. 397, §27 (NEW).]

2. Compliance with requirements. The state committee and replacement candidate comply with the requirements of section 363 prior to election day. [PL 2025, c. 397, §27 (NEW).]

This section does not apply to a vacancy as described in section 804. [PL 2025, c. 397, §27 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 366 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 366
21-A §366. Special elections
Status: in_force

The proclamation of a special election must specify the time and place it must be held as well as any necessary filing, posting, publishing and reporting dates. A special election must be publicized and conducted like its regular counterpart, as nearly as practicable. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 724 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 724
21-A §724. Election certificate issued
Status: in_force

Within a reasonable time after an election, the Secretary of State shall prepare and the Governor shall sign an election certificate, in accordance with Title 5, section 84 , for each person elected to office according to the tabulation submitted under section 722 . If the result of an election is being appealed to the Supreme Judicial Court, or referred to the appropriate legislative body, after a recount pursuant to section 737‑A, subsection 10 , the certificate must be issued to the apparent winner of the election based on the final recount tabulation. [PL 2019, c. 371, §27 (NEW).]

1. Ineligible person. [PL 2009, c. 253, §40 (RP).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1056 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1056
21-A §1056. Expenditure limitations
Status: in_force

Any committee required to register under this chapter shall comply with the following expenditure limitations. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1. Aggregate expenditures. A committee may not make contributions in support of the candidacy of one person aggregating more than the contribution limits established by the commission pursuant to section 1015 . [PL 2011, c. 389, §37 (AMD).]

2. Prohibited expenditures. No committee may make any expenditure for liquor to be distributed to or consumed by voters while the polls are open on election day. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 848 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 848
21-A §848. Ballot format for electronic tabulating systems
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State shall furnish all ballot materials for all elections conducted under this Title. Ballots furnished for use with electronic tabulating systems must be arranged as nearly as practicable in accordance with the requirements for candidate ballots under section 601 and for referendum ballots under section 906 . For ballots that are double sided, each side of the ballot must include a clearly printed message at the bottom of the ballot reminding the voter to mark both sides of the ballot. [PL 2001, c. 310, §64 (RPR).]

1. Ballot format. [PL 2001, c. 310, §64 (RP).]

2. Content of label. [PL 1995, c. 459, §101 (RP).]

3. Ballot labels for separate elections. [PL 1995, c. 459, §101 (RP).]

4. Referendum question. [PL 2001, c. 310, §64 (RP).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1019-B — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1019-B
21-A §1019-B. Reports of independent expenditures
Status: in_force

1. Independent expenditures; definition. For the purposes of this section, an "independent expenditure" means any expenditure made by a person, party committee or political action committee that is not made in cooperation, consultation or concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate, a candidate's authorized political committee or an agent of either and that: A. Is made to design, produce or disseminate any public communication that expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate; or [PL 2025, c. 224, §11 (AMD).] B. Unless the person, party committee or political action committee making the expenditure demonstrates under subsection 2 that the expenditure did not have a purpose or effect of influencing the nomination, election or defeat of the candidate, is made to design, produce or disseminate a public communication that names or depicts a clearly identified candidate and is disseminated during the 28 days, including election day, before a primary election; during the 35 days, including election day, before a special election; or from Labor Day to a general election day. [PL 2025, c. 224, §12 (AMD).] [PL 2025, c. 224, §§11, 12 (AMD).]

2. Commission determination. A person, party committee or political action committee may request a determination that an expenditure that otherwise meets the definition of an independent expenditure under subsection 1, paragraph B is not an independent expenditure by filing a signed written statement with the commission within 7 days of disseminating the communication stating that the cost was not incurred with a purpose of influencing the nomination, election or defeat of a candidate, supported by any additional evidence the person, party committee or political action committee chooses to submit. The commission may gather any additional evidence it determines relevant and material. The commission shall determine by a preponderance of the evidence whether the cost was incurred with a purpose of, or had the effect of, influencing the nomination, election or defeat of a candidate. In order to make this determination, the commission shall consider whether the language and other elements of the communication would lead a reasonable person to conclude that the communication had a purpose of, or had the effect of, influencing an election. The commission may consider other factors, including, but not limited to, the timing of the communication, the recipients of the communication or, if the communication is a digital communication, any links to publicly accessible websites related to the nomination, election or defeat of a candidate. The commission's executive director shall make an initial determination on the request, which must be posted on the commission's publicly accessible website. Any person may appeal the initial determination, which must be considered by the commission at the next public meeting that is feasible. [PL 2023, c. 324, §11 (AMD).]

3. Report required; content; rules. [PL 2009, c. 524, §6 (RPR); MRSA T. 21-A §1019-B, sub-§3 (RP).]

4. Report required; content; rules. A person, party committee or political action committee that makes any independent expenditure in excess of $250 during any one candidate's election shall file a report with the commission. In the case of a municipal election, the report must be filed with the municipal clerk. A. A report required by this subsection must be filed with the commission according to a reporting schedule that the commission shall establish by rule that takes into consideration existing campaign finance reporting requirements. Rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2011, c. 558, §2 (AMD).] B. A report required by this subsection must contain an itemized account of the total contributions from each contributor, each expenditure in excess of $250 in any one candidate's election, the date and purpose of each expenditure and the name of each payee or creditor. The report must state whether the expenditure is in support of or in opposition to the candidate and must include, under penalty of unsworn falsification, as provided in Title 17‑A, section 453, a statement whether the expenditure is made in cooperation, consultation or concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, the candidate or an authorized committee or agent of the candidate. [IB 2023, c. 4, §3 (AMD).] C. A report required by this subsection must be on a form prescribed and prepared by the commission. A person filing this report may use additional pages if necessary, but the pages must be the same size as the pages of the form. The commission may adopt procedures requiring the electronic filing of an independent expenditure report, as long as the commission adopts an exception for persons who lack access to the required technology or the technological ability to file reports electronically. [PL 2023, c. 324, §13 (AMD).] [IB 2023, c. 4, §3 (AMD).]

5. Exclusions. An independent expenditure does not include: A. [PL 2021, c. 132, §9 (RP).] B. A telephone survey that meets generally accepted standards for polling research and that is not conducted for the purpose of changing the voting position of the call recipients or discouraging them from voting; [PL 2011, c. 389, §21 (NEW).] C. A telephone call naming a clearly identified candidate that identifies an individual's position on a candidate, ballot question or political party for the purpose of encouraging the individual to vote, as long as the call contains no advocacy for or against any candidate; and [PL 2011, c. 389, §21 (NEW).] D. A voter guide that consists primarily of candidates' responses to surveys and questionnaires and that contains no advocacy for or against any candidate. [PL 2011, c. 389, §21 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 132, §9 (AMD).]

6. Segregated contributions required. A political action committee may use only funds received in compliance with section 1015, subsection 2‑C or 2‑D when making independent expenditures. A political action committee that makes independent expenditures shall keep an account of any contributions received for the purpose of making those expenditures. [IB 2023, c. 4, §4 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1015-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1015-A
21-A §1015-A. Corporate contributions
Status: in_force

Contributions made by a for-profit or a nonprofit corporation including a parent, subsidiary, branch, division, department or local unit of a corporation, and contributions made by a political committee or political action committee whose contribution or expenditure activities are financed, maintained or controlled by a corporation are considered to be made by that corporation, political committee or political action committee. [PL 2023, c. 244, §9 (REEN).]

1. Single entities. Two or more entities are treated as a single entity if the entities: A. Share the majority of members of their boards of directors; [PL 2023, c. 244, §9 (REEN).] B. Share 2 or more officers; [PL 2023, c. 244, §9 (REEN).] C. Are owned or controlled by the same majority shareholder or shareholders; [PL 2023, c. 244, §9 (REEN).] C-1. Are limited liability companies that are owned or controlled by the same majority member or members; or [PL 2023, c. 244, §9 (REEN).] D. Are in a parent-subsidiary relationship. [PL 2023, c. 244, §9 (REEN).] [PL 2023, c. 244, §9 (REEN).]

2. Sole proprietorships. A sole proprietorship and its owner are treated as a single entity. [PL 2023, c. 244, §9 (REEN).]
21-A M.R.S. § 308 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 308
21-A §308. Voluntary dissolution
Status: in_force

A qualified or qualifying party may voluntarily relinquish its qualified or qualifying status by filing a written request with the Secretary of State signed by the statewide chair following an affirmative vote by the party's state committee to relinquish its qualified or qualifying status or, for a party without a state committee, signed by an authorized representative of the party. The Secretary of State shall change the enrollment status of all voters enrolled in the party to unenrolled within 30 days of receipt of the request and, if applicable, remove the party's name from electronic versions and future printings of the voter registration application. [PL 2025, c. 397, §17 (NEW); PL 2025, c. 397, §59 (AFF).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1301 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 17 / Section 1301
21-A §1301. Short title
Status: in_force

This subchapter may be known and cited as "the National Popular Vote for President Act." [PL 2023, c. 628, §9 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1060-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1060-A
21-A §1060-A. Campaign for direct initiative or people's veto; reporting by major contributors
Status: in_force

This section governs the reporting of contributions aggregating in excess of $100,000 for the purpose of initiating or influencing a campaign for a people's veto referendum under the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 17 or a direct initiative of legislation under the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 18. [PL 2017, c. 418, §4 (NEW).]

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Contribution" has the same meaning as set out in section 1052, subsection 3 and also includes but is not limited to: (1) Funds or anything of value that the contributor specified were given in connection with a campaign for a people's veto referendum or direct initiative campaign; (2) Funds or anything of value provided in response to a solicitation that would lead the contributor to believe that the contribution would be used specifically for the purpose of initiating or influencing a people's veto referendum or direct initiative campaign; and (3) Funds or anything of value that can be reasonably determined to have been provided by the contributor for the purpose of initiating or influencing a people's veto referendum or direct initiative campaign when viewed in the context of the contribution and the recipient committee's activities during the campaign. [PL 2017, c. 418, §4 (NEW).] B. "Major contributor" means a person, other than an individual or a committee, that makes one or more contributions aggregating in excess of $100,000 to a ballot question committee or political action committee for the purpose of initiating or influencing any one people's veto referendum campaign or any one direct initiative campaign. [PL 2021, c. 530, §2 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 530, §2 (AMD).]

2. Notice to major contributor. Within 5 days of receiving more than $100,000 in the aggregate from a major contributor, the recipient committee shall provide written notice to the major contributor of the reporting requirement under this section and shall submit a copy of the notice to the commission. If the $100,000 aggregate amount is exceeded as a result of a contribution received during the last 13 days before an election, the recipient committee shall, within 24 hours of receiving the contribution, provide written notice of the reporting requirement to the major contributor and submit a copy of the notice to the commission. The commission shall prepare a sample written notice for this purpose. [PL 2017, c. 418, §4 (NEW).]

3. Required reports. A major contributor shall file a report containing the information required in subsection 4 on or before the next regularly scheduled filing deadline under section 1059, subsection 2 occurring after the major contributor receives notice of the reporting requirement. If a major contributor has received a notice from a recipient committee or the commission during the last 13 days before an election as required under subsection 2 , the major contributor shall file a report within 2 business days of receiving notice from the recipient committee or commission. The commission shall prescribe and prepare forms for these reports and may require major contributors to file reports electronically. [PL 2017, c. 418, §4 (NEW).]

4. Content. In the reports required under subsection 3 , a major contributor shall provide: A. The name of and relevant contact information for the major contributor and the name of a responsible officer of the major contributor; [PL 2017, c. 418, §4 (NEW).] B. The form of organization and purpose of the major contributor; [PL 2017, c. 418, §4 (NEW).] C. The amount and date of each contribution from the major contributor to the recipient committee; [PL 2017, c. 418, §4 (NEW).] D. A certification that the major contributor has not received contributions, in whole or in part, for the purpose of initiating or influencing a people's veto referendum or direct initiative campaign in this State or, if the major contributor has received such contributions, the dates, sources and amounts of any such contributions; [PL 2017, c. 418, §4 (NEW).] E. The names of the 5 largest sources of funds received by the major contributor during the period beginning 6 months prior to the first contribution made to the recipient committee and ending on the date of the filing of the report. This paragraph does not apply to funds received by the major contributor: (1) That are restricted to purposes that are unrelated to a people's veto referendum or direct initiative campaign in the State; (2) In the ordinary course of the major contributor’s regular trade or business or as investment income; or (3) If the source of the funds provided no more than $5,000 to the major contributor during the relevant period of time; and [PL 2021, c. 530, §3 (RPR).] F. A statement indicating whether the major contributor is exempt from taxation under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and a list of any governmental jurisdictions within the United States in which the major contributor has filed campaign finance reports during the previous 12 months. [PL 2017, c. 418, §4 (NEW).] The commission may require by rule additional information to be reported consistent with this subsection to facilitate disclosure to citizens of this State of financial activity conducted for the purpose of influencing elections in this State. [PL 2021, c. 530, §3 (AMD).]

5. Noncompliance. The commission may assess a civil penalty against a person that does not comply with the requirements of this section. The preliminary penalty is 10% of the total contributions required to be reported or $50,000, whichever is less, for: A. A recipient committee that fails to provide timely notice to a major contributor under subsection 2 ; [PL 2021, c. 530, §4 (NEW).] B. A recipient committee that fails to provide a copy of the notice to the commission under subsection 2 . If the commission assesses a penalty under paragraph A , the commission may not also assess a penalty under this paragraph; and [PL 2021, c. 530, §4 (NEW).] C. A major contributor that fails to file a timely report required under this section or that files a report that does not substantially conform to the disclosure requirements of this section or rules adopted under this section. [PL 2021, c. 530, §4 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 530, §4 (RPR).]

6. Waiver request; final penalty. Not later than the 14th calendar day after the date the person receives notice of the preliminary penalty from the commission under subsection 5 , the person may request a waiver of the penalty in full or in part. In considering a request for a waiver under this subsection, the commission shall consider: A. For violations under subsection 5, paragraphs A and B : (1) Whether, as a result of the late notice, the due date for a report required by this subchapter is later than if a timely notice had been received; (2) Whether the recipient committee made a bona fide effort to provide notice to the major contributors; (3) The amount of the contributions required to be reported; and (4) Other relevant factors; and [PL 2021, c. 530, §5 (NEW).] B. For violations under subsection 5, paragraph C : (1) The failure of the recipient committee to provide notice of the reporting requirement to the major contributor; (2) The number of days the report is late; (3) The amount of the contributions required to be reported; and (4) Other relevant factors. [PL 2021, c. 530, §5 (NEW).] A person requesting a determination on a waiver may either appear in person or designate a representative to appear on the person's behalf or may submit a sworn statement explaining the mitigating circumstances for consideration by the commission. After a commission meeting, the commission shall mail notice of the final determination of the commission and the penalty, if any, imposed pursuant to this subsection to the person against whom the commission is assessing the penalty. If the person against whom the commission is assessing the penalty does not request a waiver, the preliminary penalty calculated by the commission is final. The commission shall mail final notice of the penalty to the person against whom the commission is assessing the penalty. A final determination by the commission on a waiver may be appealed to the Superior Court in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 7 and the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 80C. [PL 2021, c. 530, §5 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 844 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 844
21-A §844. Regulations of Secretary of State
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State may make reasonable rules governing the use of electronic tabulating systems in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act. [PL 1995, c. 459, §97 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 817-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 817-A
21-A §817-A. Test of voting machines
Status: in_force

The clerk shall test the voting machines using a sample of the ballot cards furnished by the Secretary of State in the same manner as set forth in section 854 regarding the testing of electronic tabulating equipment. [PL 1995, c. 459, §89 (NEW).]