21-A M.R.S. § 621-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 621-A
21-A §621-A. Announcing an election
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State shall send a notice of election to the municipal clerk, who shall announce the election as follows. [PL 1997, c. 436, §83 (NEW).]

1. Notice posted. The clerk shall post or have posted a notice of election, attested by the clerk, in a conspicuous public place in the municipality at least 21 days immediately before election day and at each voting place on election day. [PL 2025, c. 397, §35 (AMD).]

2. Notice recorded. The clerk shall record a copy of the notice along with the times and places of posting. [PL 1997, c. 436, §83 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 381 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 381
21-A §381. State Senators
Status: in_force

When there is a vacancy in the office of State Senator, the Governor shall issue a proclamation declaring the vacancy and ordering a special election under section 366 . [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1. Nominees chosen. The Governor shall order the appropriate political committees to meet and shall set the deadline for choosing nominees. The deadline may not be sooner than the 15th day after the date of the Governor's proclamation declaring a vacancy. The political committees shall follow the procedure outlined in section 363 . [PL 2021, c. 570, §2 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 129 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 129
21-A §129. Change of name or address
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding subchapter 9 , when a voter's name is changed by marriage or other process of law or when the voter moves within a municipality, the following provisions apply. [PL 2019, c. 409, §2 (AMD); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).]

1. Notice. The voter must give written notice to the registrar of the voter's new and former names or addresses before the close of registrations prior to election day or provide notice through the online voter registration application. [PL 2021, c. 439, §4 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 439, §15 (AFF).]

2. Correction of name or address. The registrar shall correct the voter's name or address in the central voter registration system and on the incoming voting list, and the voter must then vote under the voter's new name or in the new district on election day. A. In a municipality that has more than one voting district, if a voter has changed the voter's address and votes absentee after the close of registration, the voter must send a written notice of the voter's new address along with the voter's absentee application notifying the registrar of the voter's new address. A certificate containing the voter's name and new address must be directed to the warden of the voter's new voting place to be attached to the incoming voting list on election day. [PL 1999, c. 426, §7 (AMD).] [PL 2005, c. 453, §21 (AMD).]

3. Failure to notify. If a voter fails to notify the registrar of a change of name or change of address before election day, the voter must appear before the registrar on election day and follow the procedure outlined in section 661 if the voter wishes to vote, unless the registrar has already made the correction in following the procedure prescribed by section 128 . If the voter wishes to exercise the right to vote, the voter must vote using the ballot or ballots for the new voting place, if applicable, on election day. [PL 2025, c. 397, §6 (AMD).]

4. Publication of substance. [PL 1997, c. 436, §28 (RP).]
21-A M.R.S. § 102 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 102
21-A §102. Deputy registrar
Status: in_force

The registrar may appoint one or more deputies, except that if the registrar does not also serve as the clerk, the registrar shall appoint the clerk to serve as a deputy registrar. [PL 2005, c. 568, §4 (AMD).]

1. Qualifications and compensation. Section 101, subsections 1 , 3 and 5 , apply to a deputy registrar. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

2. Term of office. A deputy registrar serves at the will of the registrar, except that if the clerk is a deputy registrar and the registrar leaves office, the clerk becomes the registrar pro tem until a new registrar is appointed and sworn, at which point the clerk must be appointed as a deputy to the new registrar. [PL 2005, c. 568, §5 (AMD).]

3. Duties. The deputy registrar may perform any of the duties of office prescribed by the registrar. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §34 (COR).]
21-A M.R.S. § 852 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 852
21-A §852. Procedure at voting place
Status: in_force

The following governs the procedure for the conduct of elections in which an electronic tabulating system is used. [PL 1995, c. 459, §104 (AMD).]

1. Preparation for voting. Before the polls are opened, the election officials shall arrive at the voting place and place the voting devices in position for voting. The officials shall ensure that the devices are in proper working order and that the correct ballots were delivered. They shall open and check the ballots, supplies, records and forms and post the sample ballots and instructions to voters. [PL 2025, c. 397, §55 (AMD).]

2. Instruction of voters. If requested, election officials shall instruct a voter on how to operate the electronic tabulating system before the voter enters the voting booth. If the voter needs additional instruction after entering the voting booth, election officials may, if necessary, enter the booth and give the voter additional instructions in accordance with section 672 . [PL 1995, c. 459, §104 (AMD).]

3. Depositing ballots in electronic voting device. After the voter has marked the ballot, the voter may deposit the ballot in the electronic tabulating device. A voter may request the assistance of an election official if the voter has difficulty placing the ballot into the electronic tabulating device. [PL 2025, c. 397, §56 (AMD).]

4. Spoiled ballots. If a voter spoils a ballot, the procedures set forth in section 693 must be followed. [PL 1995, c. 459, §104 (AMD).]

5. Closing of polls. As soon as the polls have closed and the last qualified voter has voted, the warden shall proceed to supervise the counting of the ballots under the observation of the public. The following procedures must be followed. A. The warden shall run the official tally tape from each electronic tabulating device and shall record the total votes from the tape on the tally sheet provided by the Secretary of State. The official tally tape must be signed by the warden and one election clerk from each of the major parties and must be packed in a tamper-proof ballot box with the other election materials pursuant to section 698, subsection 2‑A . The warden shall run an additional copy of the tally tape to provide to the clerk with the tally sheets and the return of votes cast and may run additional copies of the tally tape to post for public review. [PL 2025, c. 397, §57 (NEW).] B. All unused ballots must be packaged and sealed pursuant to section 698, subsection 2‑B for return to the municipal clerk. [PL 2025, c. 397, §57 (NEW).] C. The ballot box for the electronic voting device must be opened at the voting place and regular counted ballots placed in the tamper-proof ballot boxes. [PL 2025, c. 397, §57 (NEW).] D. All unread ballots requiring hand counting or ballots containing write-in votes that must be recorded on a tally sheet are counted by the election clerks and the tally sheets must be completed pursuant to section 695 . If it appears that any ballot is damaged so that it cannot be properly counted by the electronic tabulating device, the ballot must be counted manually. [PL 2025, c. 397, §57 (NEW).] E. The election officials shall complete and sign the other election forms as provided in this Title and shall return the ballots and other materials to the clerk packed pursuant to section 698, subsections 2‑A and 2‑B and the incoming voting list packed pursuant to section 698, subsection 3 . [PL 2025, c. 397, §57 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 397, §57 (RPR).]
21-A M.R.S. § 303 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 303
21-A §303. Formation of new party; organization by party enrollment
Status: in_force

In addition to the procedure under section 302 , a party whose designation was not listed on the general election ballot in the last preceding general election qualifies to participate in a primary election if it meets the requirements of subsections 1 and 2 . [PL 2013, c. 131, §11 (AMD).]

1. Declaration of intent. Ten or more voters who are not enrolled in a party qualified under section 301 must file a declaration of intent to form a party with the Secretary of State between December 1st and December 30th of an even-numbered year. The declaration of intent must be on a form designed by the Secretary of State and must include: A. The designation of the proposed party; and [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] B. The names, addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and signatures of the voters who file the declaration of intent. [PL 2025, c. 397, §15 (AMD).] [PL 2025, c. 397, §15 (AMD).]

2. Enrollment of voters. Within 5 business days after the declaration of intent required in subsection 1 is filed, the Secretary of State shall certify whether the application meets the requirements of subsection 1 and, if so, notify the applicants that they may enroll voters in the proposed party under sections 141 to 145 . On or before January 2nd of the next even-numbered year following the filing of the application under subsection 1 , the applicants must file a certification with the Secretary of State, on a form designed by the Secretary of State, that they have at least 5,000 voters enrolled in the proposed party. The Secretary of State shall verify the proposed party's enrollment figures within 15 business days of receiving the proposed party's certification and notify the applicants whether the proposed party has met the requirements to participate in a primary election in the subsequent even-numbered year. A determination by the Secretary of State that the party has not met these requirements may be challenged pursuant to section 303‑A . [PL 2017, c. 254, §2 (AMD); PL 2017, c. 254, §4 (AFF).]

3. Petition. [PL 2013, c. 131, §11 (RP).]

4. Municipal caucuses. A party that has qualified under subsections 1 and 2 to participate in a primary election must conduct municipal caucuses in at least one municipality in each of the 16 counties during that election year as prescribed in Article 2 . The chair of the municipal committee or a resident voter in the municipality must file a copy of the notice required by section 311, subsection 3 with the Secretary of State before 5 p.m. on March 20th. [PL 2013, c. 131, §11 (AMD).]

5. Convention. A party that has qualified under subsections 1 and 2 to participate in a primary election must in that same year conduct the municipal caucuses under subsection 4 and hold a state convention as prescribed by Article 3 , in order to have the party designation of its candidates printed on the ballot in the general election of that year. The voters who file the declaration of intent may perform the duties of the state committee under section 321, subsection 1 for the party's initial convention. [PL 2013, c. 131, §11 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 804 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 804
21-A §804. Meeting in convention
Status: in_force

The presidential electors shall convene in the House Chamber in Augusta at 2 p.m. on the first Tuesday after the 2nd Wednesday of December following their election. If any electors are not present, the electors present shall fill the vacancy by majority vote. [PL 2025, c. 397, §51 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1053-C — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1053-C
21-A §1053-C. Caucus political action committees
Status: in_force

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "House caucus leader" means a member of a political party in the House of Representatives who has been elected the leader of that political party in the House of Representatives. For purposes of this paragraph, if the Speaker of the House of Representatives is a member of a political party, the Speaker of the House of Representatives is deemed the House caucus leader of that political party. [PL 2019, c. 635, §4 (NEW).] B. "Political party" has the same meaning as "party" as defined by section 1, subsection 28 . [PL 2019, c. 635, §4 (NEW).] C. "Senate caucus leader" means a member of a political party in the Senate who has been elected the leader of that political party in the Senate. For purposes of this paragraph, if the President of the Senate is a member of a political party, the President of the Senate is deemed the Senate caucus leader of that political party. [PL 2019, c. 635, §4 (NEW).] [PL 2019, c. 635, §4 (NEW).]

2. Designation of caucus political action committee. Each Senate caucus leader and each House caucus leader may designate one caucus political action committee to promote the election of nominees of the caucus leader's political party to the body of the Legislature of which the caucus leader is a member. The designation must be made in a letter to the commission and remains effective until a new designation is made in a letter to the commission from the caucus leader of the same political party and same body of the Legislature. [PL 2019, c. 635, §4 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 902-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 11 / Section 902-A
21-A §902-A. Copies of petitions required
Status: in_force

If the registrar or clerk suspects that a petition was submitted in violation of any provision of this chapter, the registrar or clerk shall immediately notify the Secretary of State and provide a copy of the petition to the Secretary of State. [PL 2009, c. 611, §3 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 553 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 8 / Section 553
21-A §553. Limitations on terms
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, consecutive terms in office are limited as follows. [IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).]

1. State Senate. A person may not serve more than 4 consecutive terms as a state Senator. [IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).]

2. State Representative. A person may not serve more than 4 consecutive terms as a member of the state House of Representatives. [IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).]

3. Secretary of State. A person may not serve more than 4 consecutive terms as Secretary of State. [IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).]

4. Treasurer of State. A person may not serve more than 4 consecutive terms as Treasurer of State. [IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).]

5. Attorney General. A person may not serve more than 4 consecutive terms as Attorney General. [IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).]

6. State Auditor. A person may not serve more than 2 consecutive terms as State Auditor. [IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).]

This section applies to terms of office that begin on or after December 3, 1996. [IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).]
21-A M.R.S. § 802 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 802
21-A §802. Representation
Status: in_force

One presidential elector shall be chosen from each congressional district and 2 at large. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 901-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 11 / Section 901-A
21-A §901-A. Petition requirements for direct initiatives of legislation
Status: in_force

The following provisions apply to direct initiatives of legislation under the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 18. [PL 2005, c. 356, §1 (NEW).]

1. Opportunity to read direct initiative summary. A person circulating a petition must provide the voter the opportunity to read the proposed direct initiative summary and fiscal impact statement required by section 901 prior to that voter signing the petition. The summary presented to the voter must be as it appears on a publicly accessible website established by the Secretary of State. [PL 2009, c. 341, §5 (AMD).]

2. Required statements; placement of information. On each page of a petition that contains space intended for voter signatures, the Secretary of State shall include a space at the top right or left corner of each such page to be submitted to the voters, which must be filled in with the name of the circulator collecting signatures on that petition and a unique identifying number. On the first page of a petition only, the Secretary of State shall include the summary prepared under section 901, subsection 5 and the fiscal impact of the initiative as described in Title 1, section 353 directly below the following statement at the top of the petition in a type size of no less than 16 points: "Freedom of Citizen Information: Before a registered voter signs any initiative petition, signature gatherers must offer the voter the opportunity to read the proposed initiative summary and fiscal impact statement." [PL 2021, c. 570, §6 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 334 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 334
21-A §334. Qualification of candidate for primary nomination
Status: in_force

A candidate for nomination by primary election must file a primary petition and consent under sections 335 and 336 . The candidate must be enrolled, on or before March 15th, in the party named in the petition and must be eligible to file a petition as a candidate for nomination by primary election under section 144, subsection 3 . The registrar in the candidate's municipality of residence must certify to that fact on a form designed by the Secretary of State. [PL 2009, c. 253, §16 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 2 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 1 / Section 2
21-A §2. Delegation of authority
Status: in_force

When this Title requires the performance of a duty by an official, that official may delegate the duty to another under that official's supervision, if it is ministerial. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §27 (COR).]
21-A M.R.S. § 605-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 605-A
21-A §605-A. Instructions
Status: in_force

1. For election officials. The Secretary of State shall provide the clerk, registrar and election officials of each municipality with printed instructions and information to assist them in performing the requirements of this Title. [PL 2011, c. 342, §15 (NEW).]

2. For voters. The Secretary of State shall prepare instructional materials and posters and provide them to each municipality to assist voters in registering to vote and in voting. A. The voting instruction poster must include information on how to mark the ballot, including how to mark a write-in vote; how to replace the ballot if the voter makes a mistake; and how to receive assistance in marking the ballot. It may include other voting information. The Secretary of State may design separate instruction posters to instruct the voters on how to mark a ballot for elections to be determined by ranked‑choice voting and those to be determined by plurality. [PL 2019, c. 320, §4 (AMD).] B. The voting rights poster or notice must contain information advising prospective registrants and voters of their voting rights. [PL 2011, c. 342, §15 (NEW).] C. The election penalty poster or notice must contain information regarding penalties for voting law violations. [PL 2011, c. 342, §15 (NEW).] D. The Treasurer's Statement must be prepared according to Title 5, section 152 to accompany ballots containing any statewide bond issues. The Secretary of State shall supply written instructions to each municipality, which may be provided to an absentee voter to indicate where the voter may view the Treasurer's Statement on the Secretary of State's publicly accessible website. [PL 2011, c. 534, §13 (AMD).] E. For each referendum ballot, a citizen's guide to the referendum election must be prepared and include the full text of each measure; the Attorney General's explanatory statement prepared under Title 1, section 353 ; the Treasurer's Statement prepared under Title 5, section 152 ; the Office of Fiscal and Program Review's estimate of the fiscal impact prepared under Title 1, section 353 ; and any public comment submitted pursuant to Title 1, section 354 . The Secretary of State must post a citizen's guide to the referendum election on the Secretary of State's publicly accessible website and provide a printed copy to each municipality and to each public library in the State. [PL 2011, c. 342, §15 (NEW).] F. The Secretary of State may prepare other neutral instructional materials and posters the Secretary of State determines necessary to assist voters. [PL 2025, c. 397, §30 (NEW).] Each municipality must post the voter instructional materials as described in section 651 . [PL 2025, c. 397, §30 (AMD).]

3. For absentee voters. The Secretary of State shall prepare instructions for absentee voter applicants describing the reasons that a voter may request an absentee ballot after the deadline set forth in section 753‑B, subsection 2, paragraph D and provide these instructions to each municipality. Each municipality shall include these instructions on a sign posted at the municipal office and on any website, social media page or other media that the municipality uses to communicate election information. [PL 2021, c. 246, §3 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 903-E — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 11 / Section 903-E
21-A §903-E. Persons not authorized to administer an oath or affirmation to a petition circulator
Status: in_force

1. Certain notaries public and others. A notary public or other person authorized by law to administer oaths or affirmations generally is not authorized to administer an oath or affirmation to the circulator of a petition under section 902 if the notary public or other generally authorized person is: A. Providing any other services, regardless of compensation, to initiate the direct initiative or people's veto referendum for which the petition is being circulated. For the purposes of this paragraph, "initiate" has the same meaning as section 1052, subsection 4‑B ; or [PL 2017, c. 418, §3 (NEW).] B. Providing services other than notarial acts, regardless of compensation, to promote the direct initiative or people's veto referendum for which the petition is being circulated. [PL 2017, c. 418, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2017, c. 418, §3 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1005 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1005
21-A §1005. Restrictions on commercial use of contributor information
Status: in_force

Information concerning contributors contained in campaign finance reports filed by candidates, political action committees, party committees and ballot question committees may not be used for any commercial purpose, including, but not limited to, the sales and marketing of products and services, or for solicitations of any kind not directly related to activities of a political party, so-called "get out the vote" efforts or activities directly related to a campaign as defined in section 1052 . Any person obtaining contributor information from the reports is prohibited from selling or distributing it to others to use for commercial purposes and also is prohibited from making publicly available the mailing addresses of contributors. This section does not prohibit a political party, party committee, candidate committee, political action committee or any other organization that has obtained contributor information from the commission from providing access to such information to its members for purposes directly related to party activities, so-called "get out the vote" efforts or a campaign as defined in section 1052 . A person who violates this section is subject to a fine of up to $5,000. A person who knowingly violates this section commits a Class E crime. [PL 2025, c. 224, §4 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 195 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 195
21-A §195. Report
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State shall report annually by January 15th to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over voter registration matters on the administration of the central voter registration system and the automatic voter registration system established pursuant to subchapter 9 . [PL 2019, c. 409, §5 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).]

1. Automatic registration efforts. Beginning January 15, 2023, the report required under this section must include the following information regarding the actions taken pursuant to subchapter 9 : A. The number of pending voter registration records that have been created by source agencies; [PL 2019, c. 409, §5 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).] B. The number of voters added to the central voter registration system because of pending voter registration records created by source agencies; [PL 2019, c. 409, §5 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).] C. The number of voters in the central voter registration system whose information was updated because of pending voter registration records created by source agencies; [PL 2019, c. 409, §5 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).] D. The number of pending voter registration records created, by source agency, that do not relate to individuals affirmatively identified as eligible to vote; [PL 2019, c. 409, §5 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).] E. The number of individuals who chose to not register to vote; and [PL 2019, c. 409, §5 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).] F. The number of voters who submitted requests to update or correct registration information through the system established in subchapter 9 , by type of information updated. [PL 2019, c. 409, §5 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).] As used in this subsection, "pending voter registration record" and "source agency" have the same meanings as in section 231, subsections 2 and 4 , respectively. [PL 2019, c. 409, §5 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).]

2. Public access. The report required under this section may address issues of public access to the information from the central voter registration system. [PL 2019, c. 409, §5 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).]

3. Legislation. The report required under this section may include suggested legislation necessary to administer the central voter registration system and the automatic voter registration system implemented pursuant to subchapter 9 . The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over voter registration matters may report out legislation regarding the central voter registration system and the automatic voter registration system to the Legislature. [PL 2019, c. 409, §5 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).]
21-A M.R.S. § 901 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 11 / Section 901
21-A §901. Petitions
Status: in_force

To initiate proceedings for a people's veto referendum or the direct initiative of legislation, provided in the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Sections 17 and 18, a voter shall submit a written application to the Department of the Secretary of State on a form designed by the Secretary of State. The application must contain the names, residence addresses, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers and signatures of 5 voters, in addition to the applicant, who are designated to receive any notices in proceedings under this chapter. The Secretary of State shall provide such notices by e-mail only. For a direct initiative, the application must contain the full text of the proposed law and a summary that explains the purpose and intent of the direct initiative in both electronic and printed formats. The voter submitting the application shall sign the application in the presence of the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State's designee or a notary public. [PL 2019, c. 636, §19 (AMD).]

On receipt, the Secretary of State or the Secretary of State's designee shall review the application and determine the form of the petition to be submitted to the voters. The date the approved form of the petition is provided to the voter submitting the application is the date of issuance for the purposes of this chapter. [PL 1993, c. 695, §34 (AMD).]

1. Limitation on petitions. An application for a people's veto referendum petition must be filed in the Department of the Secretary of State within 10 business days after adjournment of the legislative session at which the Act in question was passed. A direct initiative of legislation must meet the filing deadlines specified in the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 18. [PL 1997, c. 581, §2 (AMD).]

2. Furnished within 10 days. [PL 1993, c. 352, §1 (RP).]

3. Forms printed by voters. [PL 1993, c. 352, §1 (RP).]

3-A. Review for proper form. The Secretary of State shall review the proposed law for a direct initiative of legislation within 15 business days after receipt of the application and either reject the application or provide a first revised draft of the initiative legislation to the applicant within that time. The Secretary of State may reject the application if the Secretary of State determines that the proposed law: A. Does not conform to the form prescribed by the Secretary of State; or [PL 1993, c. 352, §1 (NEW).] B. Does not conform to the essential aspects of the drafting conventions established for the Maine Revised Statutes. The drafting conventions include but are not limited to: (1) Correct allocation to the statutes and correct integration with existing statutes; (2) Bill titles and statute section headnotes that objectively reflect the content of the bill, section or sections to which they apply; (3) Conformity to the statutory numbering system; and (4) Ensuring that bills enacting statutes do not contain provisions that describe intent or make testimonial statements without creating a legal requirement or duty. [PL 1993, c. 352, §1 (NEW).] By consent of the applicant the proposed law may be modified to conform with the requirements of this section. The Secretary of State may request assistance from the Revisor of Statutes in reviewing the proposed law. The applicant shall submit each subsequent draft of the legislation to the Secretary of State for review following the same process. The Secretary of State shall review each subsequent draft from the applicant and provide a revised draft or written response suggesting how the proposed law may be modified to conform to the requirements of this section within 10 business days. The applicant must give written consent to the final language of the proposed law to the Secretary of State before the petition form is designed by the Secretary of State. [PL 2009, c. 253, §58 (AMD).]

3-B. Approved petitions printed by voters. A voter must print the petitions in the form approved by the Secretary of State. [PL 1993, c. 352, §1 (NEW).]

4. Ballot question. The ballot question for an initiative or a people's veto referendum must be drafted by the Secretary of State in accordance with section 906 and rules adopted in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act. The Secretary of State shall provide the ballot question to the applicant for a people's veto referendum within 10 business days after receipt of a properly completed application. If an initiative is filed with the Secretary of State and certified pursuant to the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 18 as having a sufficient number of signatures, the Secretary of State shall propose a ballot question to be submitted for public comment as provided in section 905‑A . [PL 2021, c. 570, §5 (AMD).]

5. Summary of proposal. For a direct initiative, the Secretary of State shall request the Revisor of Statutes to recommend a concise summary that objectively describes the content of the proposed law. The Secretary of State shall approve or amend the summary, and the summary and the fiscal impact statement required by Title 1, section 353 must be printed on the petition form immediately following the statements required by section 901‑A . [PL 2009, c. 341, §4 (AMD).]

6. Rejection. If the Secretary of State rejects an application under this section, the Secretary of State shall provide a written statement of the reasons for the decision. [PL 1993, c. 352, §1 (NEW).]

7. Court review. A voter named in the application under this section may appeal any decision made by the Secretary of State under this section using the procedures for court review provided for in section 905, subsections 2 and 3 . [PL 1993, c. 352, §1 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 806 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 806
21-A §806. Compensation of electors and employees
Status: in_force

The presidential electors shall be paid $10 a day for each day actually and necessarily employed in the performance of their duties and necessary expenses, including travel expenses, at the same rate as that paid to members of the Legislature. The presidential electors may hire necessary clerical employees who shall be paid a reasonable compensation established by the electors. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 903 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 11 / Section 903
21-A §903. Instructions to be printed on
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State shall prepare instructions to inform the clerk and the signer or circulator of a petition of the statutory and constitutional requirements. The instructions must specify the conditions that have been held to invalidate either individual signatures or complete petitions. The instructions must be printed on the petition. [PL 2021, c. 570, §7 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 626-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 626-A
21-A §626-A. Voting place report
Status: in_force

The municipal clerk shall file a voting place report at least 60 days before each election conducted under this Title, on a form designed by the Secretary of State, with information about each voting place, including, but not limited to, the location of each voting place, the location of each secured drop box, the times for in-person absentee voting at the clerk’s office under section 753‑B, subsection 8 , the poll opening time and the number of voting booths that will be used. [PL 2021, c. 246, §4 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 441 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 441
21-A §441. Determination and date of primary; voter eligibility
Status: in_force

1. Determination of primary. No later than October 1st of the year prior to a presidential election year, the state committee of each party shall certify whether there is a contest among candidates for nomination as the presidential candidate. Upon receiving the certification from one or more parties, the Secretary of State shall announce the parties that will have a presidential primary election, which must be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March of the presidential election year. [PL 2021, c. 273, §7 (AMD).]

2. Eligible voter. [PL 2021, c. 750, §7 (RP); PL 2021, c. 750, §14 (AFF).]

3. Unenrolled voter participation in presidential primary elections allowed. A registered voter not enrolled in a political party may participate, subject to the restrictions of section 145, subsection 3 , in a party's presidential primary election without enrolling in that political party. An unenrolled voter may vote in only one party's presidential primary election. The Secretary of State shall establish procedures to ensure that each voter voting in a party's presidential primary election is offered a ballot for that primary election. [PL 2021, c. 750, §8 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 750, §14 (AFF).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1128 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 14 / Section 1128
21-A §1128. Study report
Status: in_force

By March 15, 2011 and every 4 years after that date, the commission shall prepare for the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over legal affairs a report documenting, evaluating and making recommendations relating to the administration, implementation and enforcement of the Maine Clean Election Act and Maine Clean Election Fund. [PL 2009, c. 190, Pt. B, §3 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 304 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 304
21-A §304. Disqualification of parties
Status: in_force

A party that does not meet the requirements of section 301 is not qualified to participate in a subsequent election. [PL 1999, c. 450, §10 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 122-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 122-A
21-A §122-A. Alternative registration procedure for participants in Address Confidentiality Program
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding sections 122 and 152 and subchapter 9 , a person who is certified by the Secretary of State as a program participant in the Address Confidentiality Program pursuant to Title 5, section 90‑B may register to vote using the designated address and voter code assigned to that person pursuant to rules adopted to implement the program. To register to vote, a voter must submit a completed registration application to the elections division of the Secretary of State's office, using the assigned voter code instead of the voter's name and the designated program address instead of the voter's actual residence street address, and provide the certification expiration date. The Address Confidentiality Program administrator in the Secretary of State's office shall determine the voter's eligibility to register in the municipality listed on the Address Confidentiality Program application and shall verify the electoral districts in which the voter is eligible to vote so that the elections division may register the voter and issue absentee ballots for state elections to the voter pursuant to section 753‑C . All registration records for such voters must be designated as confidential and kept sealed in the elections division offices. The name of any voter certified as a program participant in the Address Confidentiality Program may not be placed on any voter list that is available for public inspection or copying. [PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §1 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 675 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 675
21-A §675. Reports of threats or harassment
Status: in_force

1. Reporting of threats or harassment. The Secretary of State shall accept and maintain a record of reports of threats to or harassment of public officials related to the conduct of federal, state or municipal elections in the State. The Secretary of State shall adopt routine technical rules, as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A , regarding the process for submitting reports pursuant to this subsection. [PL 2021, c. 568, §7 (NEW).]

2. Annual report. Beginning February 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State shall report the number and type of reports of threats to or harassment of public officials received by the Secretary of State during the previous calendar year to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over election matters. [PL 2021, c. 568, §7 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1206-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 15 / Section 1206-A
21-A §1206-A. Reapportionment of state legislative districts
Status: in_force

The state legislative districts established in this chapter must be reapportioned pursuant to the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part First, Section 2; Article IV, Part Second, Section 2; Article IV, Part Third, Section 1-A; and this section. When reapportioning districts, where possible, the Legislative Apportionment Commission shall attempt to form functionally contiguous and compact territories. For purposes of this section, a "functionally contiguous and compact territory" is one that facilitates representation by minimizing impediments to travel within the district. Impediments to travel include, but are not limited to, physical features such as mountains, rivers, oceans and discontinued roads or lack of roads. The commission shall recognize that all political subdivision boundaries are not of equal importance and give weight to the interests of local communities when making district boundary decisions. [PL 1995, c. 360, §2 (NEW).]

When the Supreme Judicial Court is required to make the apportionment, it is bound by this section. [PL 1995, c. 360, §2 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 826 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 826
21-A §826. Procedure for tabulating votes
Status: in_force

The following regulations outline the procedure for tabulating votes at an election in which voting machines are used. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1. Counters exposed. As soon as the polls are closed, the warden shall unlock each machine to prevent further voting. The warden shall then open the counters on each voting machine so that anyone present can see the totals. If the machine is provided with a device for printing or photographing candidate and question counters, it is not necessary to open the door concealing the counters. The warden and an election clerk from a political party other than that of the warden shall proceed to operate the mechanism provided to produce a record of the votes cast on the candidate and question counters. This record may be considered an official statement or certificate of returns for that machine and may be endorsed, delivered and filed as required by the Secretary of State. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §68 (COR).]

2. Totals announced. The warden shall announce the total for each candidate in the order shown on the ballot label, for each referendum question and for each declared write-in candidate. As each total is read, it must be recorded by an election clerk from a political party other than that of the warden. [PL 2009, c. 253, §55 (AMD).]

3. Totals checked. When all the totals for a voting machine have been read and recorded, the election clerk shall check the totals recorded by the election clerk with those appearing on the machine. If the totals do not agree, the election clerk shall record the number of the machine at the top of the column of totals recorded from it. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §69 (COR).]

4. Machine locked. After allowing any person to compare the record with the totals shown on the machine, the warden shall close and lock it with the totals remaining on it and proceed to tabulate the next machine in the same manner. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

5. Paper ballots counted. After the totals for all voting machines have been recorded and checked, all absentee and other official paper ballots shall be counted. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

6. Total announced. As soon as the paper ballots have been counted, the total vote for each candidate and on each referendum question shall be tabulated and the result announced by the warden. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 763 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 763
21-A §763. Return of election materials
Status: in_force

As soon as the ballots have been counted, the applications, where required, absentee ballots, return envelopes, lists required by sections 753‑B and 756 and other election materials must be repacked, in accordance with section 698 , and returned to the clerk. The clerk shall keep them in the clerk's office for the time required by section 23 . [PL 1999, c. 645, §11 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1011 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1011
21-A §1011. Application
Status: in_force

This subchapter applies to candidates for all state and county offices and to campaigns for their nomination and election. Candidates for municipal office as described in Title 30‑A, section 2502, subsection 1 are also governed by this subchapter. The commission does not have jurisdiction over financial activities to influence the nomination or election of candidates for federal office. [PL 2013, c. 334, §2 (AMD).]

1. Role of the municipal clerk; commission. [PL 2009, c. 366, §1 (RP); PL 2009, c. 366, §12 (AFF).]

2. Exemptions. [PL 2009, c. 366, §1 (RP); PL 2009, c. 366, §12 (AFF).]

3. Role of the municipal clerk; commission. For candidates for municipal office, the municipal clerk is responsible for any duty assigned to the commission in this subchapter related to the registration of candidates, receipt of reports and distribution of information or forms, unless otherwise provided. Notwithstanding any other deadline set forth in this chapter, candidates shall file their reports by the close of business on the day of the filing deadline established for the office of the municipal clerk. The commission retains the sole authority to prescribe the content of all reporting forms. The commission does not have responsibility to oversee the filing of registrations or campaign finance reports relating to municipal campaigns, except that the commission has the discretion to conduct investigations and assess penalties under subsection 3‑A . [PL 2013, c. 334, §2 (AMD).]

3-A. Enforcement by the commission. If a clerk of a town or city that is governed by this chapter pursuant to Title 30‑A, section 2502 becomes aware of a potential violation of this chapter that the clerk considers to be substantial, the clerk may refer the matter to the commission for enforcement. Substantial violations include, but are not limited to, accepting contributions in excess of the limitations of section 1015 and failing to file a report that substantially complies with the disclosure requirements of section 1017 . The commission has the discretion to conduct an investigation if the information referred by the municipal clerk shows sufficient grounds for believing that a violation may have occurred. After conducting the investigation, if the commission determines that a violation of this chapter has occurred, the commission may assess penalties provided in this chapter. [PL 2013, c. 334, §2 (NEW).]

4. Exemptions. Exemptions for municipal candidates from the reporting requirements of this subchapter are governed by this subsection. A. At the time a municipal candidate registers under section 1013‑A , the candidate may notify the municipal clerk in writing that the candidate will not accept contributions, make expenditures or incur financial obligations associated with that person's candidacy. A candidate who provides this written notice is not required to appoint a treasurer or to meet the filing requirements of this section as long as the candidate complies with the commitment. [PL 2011, c. 389, §5 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 389, §62 (AFF).] B. The notice provided to the municipal clerk in paragraph A may be revoked. A written revocation must be presented to the municipal clerk before the candidate may accept contributions, make expenditures or incur obligations associated with that person's candidacy. A candidate who has filed a notice with the municipal clerk under paragraph A and accepts contributions, makes expenditures or incurs obligations associated with that person's candidacy prior to filing a revocation may be assessed a penalty of $10 for each business day that the revocation is late, up to a maximum of $500. This penalty may be imposed in addition to the penalties assessed under other sections of this Title. [PL 2011, c. 389, §5 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 389, §62 (AFF).] [PL 2011, c. 389, §5 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 389, §62 (AFF).]
21-A M.R.S. § 842 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 842
21-A §842. Obtaining and using
Status: in_force

A municipality may obtain and use electronic tabulating systems according to the following provisions. [PL 1995, c. 459, §93 (AMD).]

1. Purchased or rented. The municipality may either purchase or rent voting devices. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

2. Use authorized. The voting devices may be used at each type of election authorized by the legislative body of the municipality. Once authorization has been given for use of the devices at any type of election, that authorization continues until specifically revoked by the legislative body. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

3. Use in one or more districts. A municipality which has more than one voting district may use voting devices in one or more of the districts as determined by its legislative body. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

4. Provided by municipality. [PL 1995, c. 459, §94 (RP).]
21-A M.R.S. § 361 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 361
21-A §361. Vacancy defined
Status: in_force

A vacancy in any federal, state or county office, in the office of an election official or in any political committee occurs when the incumbent dies, resigns, becomes disqualified or changes the incumbent's residence to an electoral division other than that from which the incumbent was elected or when the person elected fails to qualify. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §48 (COR).]

1. Filled for unexpired term. A vacancy in any office shall be filled for an unexpired term, except where it is specifically provided to the contrary. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 722 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 722
21-A §722. Secretary of State to tabulate and print results
Status: in_force

Within 20 days after an election, the Secretary of State shall tabulate the election returns and submit a certified copy of the tabulation to the Governor. The tabulation of a candidate or referendum election is considered final as of the date the certified copy is submitted to the Governor, except for any contests in which a recount is pending. [PL 2019, c. 371, §26 (AMD).]

1. How tabulated. The Secretary of State shall tabulate all votes that appear by an election return to have been cast for each question or candidate whose name appeared on the ballot. For elections determined by ranked-choice voting, the Secretary of State shall tabulate the votes according to the ranked-choice voting method described in section 723‑A . The Secretary of State shall tabulate the votes that appear by an election return to have been cast for a declared write-in candidate pursuant to section 722‑A . [PL 2019, c. 371, §26 (AMD).]

1-A. Form of tabulation. The tabulation must include the total votes for each question choice or candidate whose name appeared on the ballot. The tabulation also must include the total votes for any declared write-in candidates as follows. A. For a write-in candidate who receives 5% or more of the votes cast for that office, the Secretary of State shall report the votes under the candidate's name. [PL 2009, c. 253, §36 (NEW).] B. For a write-in candidate who receives less than 5% of the votes cast for that office, the Secretary of State shall report the votes under the designation "others." [PL 2009, c. 253, §36 (NEW).] [PL 2019, c. 371, §26 (AMD).]

2. Correction of return. If it appears that an election return does not agree with the record of the vote at any voting place, the Secretary of State shall correct the tabulation by obtaining a certified copy of the record from the clerk. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

3. Tabulation printed. The Secretary of State shall have copies of the tabulation printed and made available to the public. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 313 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 313
21-A §313. Voting procedure
Status: in_force

The following provisions apply to voting at a municipal caucus. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1. Vote by list. The caucus may order voting to be done by checking each voter's name on the municipal caucus list of registered voters from the central voter registration system pursuant to section 312 . [PL 2005, c. 453, §46 (AMD).]

2. Secret ballot. The caucus may order voting to be done by secret ballot which may be printed, or written on plain paper. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 604-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 604-A
21-A §604-A. Flexibility for combining election ballots
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Title, the Secretary of State may make suitable arrangement for the printing of candidate, referendum and municipal election ballots on a single ballot or ballot card used in conjunction with electronic voting systems or for the printing of candidate and referendum ballots on a single ballot for paper ballot voting systems. The Secretary of State may only allow such a combination if the Secretary of State finds that it is in the interest of the election process and that it will not contribute to voter confusion or unreasonable administrative difficulties. [PL 1997, c. 436, §79 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 846 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 846
21-A §846. Expense of storage and maintenance
Status: in_force

The municipality shall pay reasonable expenses for the storage and maintenance of the devices as authorized by the clerk. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1207 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 15 / Section 1207
21-A §1207. Implementation and interpretation
Status: in_force

1. Implementation. The Secretary of State shall implement the election districts established in this chapter pursuant to this Title and the Constitution of Maine. The Secretary of State shall inform the municipal clerks of the voting district or districts in which each municipality lies and shall provide copies of this chapter and district maps and narrative geographic descriptions of relevant election districts to those officials. The Secretary of State may resolve ambiguities concerning the location of election district lines consistent with subsection 2 and this chapter. [PL 1993, c. 628, §2 (NEW).]

2. Interpretation. Where a road, street, waterway, boundary of a tract, boundary of a block group or boundary of a block is used as a boundary of an election district, the boundary line lies at the center of the street or road, at the thread of the waterway or at the boundary of the tract, block group or block, unless otherwise noted. When a description refers to a bridge or railroad line, the district boundary lies at the center of the bridge or railroad tracks. When a description refers to a railroad spur, it refers to the principal spur in the area. When a description uses the word "ocean," the district boundary line lies coincident with the legal boundary of the particular community along or within the Atlantic Ocean. When an election district includes a particular unorganized territory, it includes that unorganized territory as described in the United States Census for 1990, whether the territory is organized or unorganized on the effective date of this chapter. Unless otherwise noted, a district that names a municipality includes all of the municipality. [PL 1993, c. 628, §2 (NEW).]

3. Nonseverability. It is the intent of the Legislature that the apportionment of the Maine Senate, the Maine House of Representatives and Maine congressional districts, as established in this chapter, become law as an entirety. If the apportionment of one or more of the bodies apportioned in this chapter is rendered invalid or unlawful by a court of law, it is the intent of the Legislature that the apportionment of all of the bodies apportioned in this chapter become void. [PL 1993, c. 628, §2 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 817 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 817
21-A §817. Ballot labels
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State shall furnish the ballot labels for all except municipal elections. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1. Content of label. The ballot label must contain the names of the candidates or nominees of each political party arranged as nearly as practicable in accordance with the requirements for paper ballots, except that the voting square shall be in the position required by the construction of the machine and subject to section 812, subsection 4 . [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

2. Referendum question. A referendum question must be arranged so that the voter may vote for or against it. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 231 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 231
21-A §231. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 2019, c. 409, §6 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).]

1. Bureau. "Bureau" means the Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles. [PL 2019, c. 409, §6 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).]

2. Pending voter registration record. "Pending voter registration record" means the electronic record created by a source agency that contains the personal identification information, including name, age, citizenship and legal residence, and other information required by section 152 of a person who is in the process of being considered for voter registration. [PL 2019, c. 409, §6 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).]

3. Proof of voter eligibility. "Proof of voter eligibility" means reliable evidence of a person's eligibility to vote and must include proof of age, citizenship and residence. [PL 2019, c. 409, §6 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).]

4. Source agency. "Source agency" means the bureau and a state agency or department or other entity designated as a source agency pursuant to section 233, subsection 1 that, as part of the normal course of business of that entity, collects documents that contain personal identification information that provides proof of voter eligibility. [PL 2019, c. 409, §6 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).]
21-A M.R.S. § 777-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 777-A
21-A §777-A. Registration and enrollment
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the registration deadline in section 121‑A , uniformed service voters or overseas voters may register or enroll at any time prior to noon on the day before election day by completing a federal or state voter registration application form and filing it with the registrar or the Secretary of State in person, by mail or by electronic means authorized by the Secretary of State. [PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §33 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 332 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 332
21-A §332. When nomination vacated
Status: in_force

When a person already nominated for any federal, state or county office accepts nomination to fill a vacancy, the first nomination is vacated by that acceptance. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 752-B — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 752-B
21-A §752-B. Secured drop boxes for the return of absentee ballots
Status: in_force

1. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Absentee voting period" means the time period beginning on the first date that absentee ballots are issued by the municipality and ending at 8 p.m. on election day. [PL 2021, c. 273, §12 (NEW).] B. "Secured drop box" means a device containing a slot or chute through which an absentee voter may deposit an absentee ballot into a secure, locked collection box in accordance with the requirements of this section. [PL 2021, c. 273, §12 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 273, §12 (NEW).]

2. Secured drop boxes authorized. A municipality may obtain and install a secured drop box that meets the requirements of this section. The secured drop box may be used by voters who are authorized to return absentee ballots in a secured drop box pursuant to section 754‑A, subsection 1, paragraph D . [PL 2021, c. 273, §12 (NEW).]

3. Location and number of secured drop boxes. The secured drop box must be located outside the municipal office building or the building where in-person absentee voting takes place before an election. If the secured drop box is positioned within or against an outside wall of the municipal office building, it must be bolted or otherwise securely fastened to the wall or to the deck or landing to prevent its removal by an unauthorized person. Otherwise, the secured drop box must be securely affixed to a post that is sunk into the ground, affixed to a post that is set into a concrete pad or bolted or otherwise securely affixed to a platform or other structure in a manner that prevents removal of the drop box by an unauthorized person. A municipality may seek approval from the Secretary of State to obtain and install an additional secured drop box or boxes at other locations within the municipality by certifying to the Secretary of State at least 90 days before the election that the additional secured drop box or boxes meet all of the requirements of this section, other than the requirement that the secured drop box be located outside of the municipal office building or the building where in-person absentee voting takes place before an election. [PL 2021, c. 273, §12 (NEW).]

3-A. Access to secured drop box. During the absentee voting period, to the extent possible, a municipality shall ensure that a path to each secured drop box is clear of all barriers. [PL 2023, c. 320, §2 (NEW).]

4. Secured drop box design; accessibility. The slot or chute of a secured drop box must be designed to prevent an individual from reaching into the slot or chute and accessing the contents of the secure collection box and to protect the contents of the secure collection box from the elements. The secured drop box must include a mechanism to close and lock the slot or chute in a manner that prevents the deposit of additional absentee ballots at 8 p.m. on election day as provided in subsection 8 . A secured drop box must comply with guidelines issued by the Secretary of State to ensure accessibility to individuals with disabilities. [PL 2021, c. 273, §12 (NEW).]

5. Monitoring of secured drop box. During the absentee voting period, each secured drop box must be monitored periodically by law enforcement personnel, municipal staff or a surveillance camera. [PL 2021, c. 273, §12 (NEW).]

6. Labeling of secured drop box. A secured drop box must be labeled, or a sign must be posted on or near the secured drop box, to indicate that it is an official secured drop box for the return of absentee ballots. Unless the secured drop box is affixed to the outside wall of the municipal office building, the label or sign must include the name of the municipality. A municipality may include on the label or sign instructions for voters regarding absentee voting requirements and warnings against use of the secured drop box by voters of other municipalities. [PL 2021, c. 273, §12 (NEW).]

7. Use and access during absentee voting period. The secured drop box must be used only for the return of absentee ballots and not for the deposit of other municipal office filings during the absentee voting period. During the absentee voting period, only the municipal clerk or designees under subsection 8 may possess the key to the secured drop box or have access to the contents of the secured collection box. If items other than returned absentee ballots are deposited in the secured drop box during the absentee voting period, the municipal clerk or designees shall deliver those items to the appropriate municipal official. [PL 2021, c. 273, §12 (NEW).]

8. Periodic retrieval of ballots. During the absentee voting period, the municipal clerk or a team of 2 people designated by the clerk shall periodically remove absentee ballots from each secured drop box and deliver the absentee ballots to the clerk's office to be stored in a secure manner. At a minimum, absentee ballots must be removed from each secured drop box by the clerk or team of 2 designees: A. At least once on each day that the clerk's office is open during the absentee voting period; [PL 2021, c. 273, §12 (NEW).] B. At all additional times necessary to ensure that additional absentee ballots deposited in the secured drop box fit within the secured collection box and are not accessible to unauthorized persons; and [PL 2021, c. 273, §12 (NEW).] C. At 8 p.m. on election day. [PL 2021, c. 273, §12 (NEW).] The identity of the persons who remove the absentee ballots from each secured drop box and the date and time that the absentee ballots are removed must be recorded on a form designed by the Secretary of State and initialed or signed by the clerk or team of 2 designees who removed the absentee ballots. [PL 2021, c. 273, §12 (NEW).]

9. Locking of secured drop boxes when polls close. The municipal clerk or team of 2 designees under subsection 8 shall lock the secured drop box at 8 p.m. on election day to prevent the deposit of additional absentee ballots in the secured drop box. [PL 2021, c. 273, §12 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1054-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1054-A
21-A §1054-A. Duties and liabilities of the treasurer, principal officer and primary decision maker of committees
Status: in_force

1. Duties of the treasurer. The treasurer of the committee shall ensure that the committee files and amends the committee's registration, files complete and accurate financial reports with the commission and maintains the committee's records as required by this chapter and the commission's rules. The treasurer is responsible for the committee's performance of these duties regardless of whether the treasurer has delegated administrative tasks related to these duties to another individual. [PL 2021, c. 217, §7 (AMD).]

2. Joint responsibilities of the treasurer and principal officer. The treasurer and the principal officer are jointly responsible for the committee's compliance with the requirements of this chapter and the commission's rules. The treasurer and principal officer are responsible for accepting and responding to notices and correspondence from the commission on behalf of the committee. [PL 2021, c. 217, §7 (AMD).]

3. Participation in spending decisions. An individual who is the treasurer, principal officer or primary decision maker of the committee and who has signed the acknowledgment statement required by section 1052‑A, subsection 4 is deemed to have participated in the spending decisions of the committee until the commission receives the individual's resignation statement or a notice of the individual's involuntary removal from the committee. [PL 2021, c. 217, §7 (AMD).]

4. Financial liability. The commission may hold the treasurer and principal officer jointly and severally liable with the committee for any fines assessed against the committee for violations of this chapter and chapter 14 . In addition, the commission may assess all or part of a fine against any other agent of the committee who is directly responsible for a violation, including individuals who have resigned or have been removed involuntarily from the committee. In deciding whether to assess a penalty against a treasurer, principal officer or any other individual, the commission may consider, among other things, whether the individual had actual knowledge of the action that constituted the violation or had authorized that action and whether the violation was intentional or caused by an error by a vendor or someone outside the control of the committee. [PL 2021, c. 217, §7 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1202 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 15 / Section 1202
21-A §1202. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1993, c. 628, §2 (NEW).]

1. Block. "Block" means an area defined as a block in the United States Census for 1990. A block is the smallest census unit used in this document. [PL 1993, c. 628, §2 (NEW).]

2. Block group. "Block group" means an area comprising all of the blocks within a tract or BNA whose census data labels begin with the same digit. There are one to 9 block groups in a tract or BNA. [PL 1993, c. 628, §2 (NEW).]

3. Block numbering area. "Block numbering area" or "BNA" means that area composed of blocks or block groups that is defined as a block numbering area in the United States Census for 1990. [PL 1993, c. 628, §2 (NEW).]

4. Census unit. "Census unit" means a block, block group, BNA or tract. [PL 1993, c. 628, §2 (NEW).]

5. Tract. "Tract" means that area composed of blocks or block groups that is defined as a tract in the United States Census for 1990. [PL 1993, c. 628, §2 (NEW).]

6. United States Census for 1990. "United States Census for 1990" means the population counts published in both printed and electronic media in March 1991 by the United States Census Bureau as the data for the State of Maine collected pursuant to Public Law 94-171. [PL 1993, c. 628, §2 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 172 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 172
21-A §172. Voter registration file
Status: in_force

The registrar shall prepare and keep a voter registration file containing the voter registration documents for each voter in the central voter registration system, arranged alphabetically by the last name of each voter, except that any voter certified by the Secretary of State as a program participant in the Address Confidentiality Program pursuant to Title 5, section 90‑B must be listed on voter registration documents only by the voter code assigned to that voter under the program and these documents must be placed at the end of the alphabetized voter file. The file must contain an original, signed voter registration application for each voter, with associated applications containing changes of name, address or enrollment and any documentation concerning these applications or the qualifications for these voters. Information in the file pertaining to any voter certified by the Secretary of State as a program participant in the Address Confidentiality Program must be kept under seal and excluded from public inspection. When a voter's registration is cancelled from the central voter registration system, the registrar shall indicate on the voter's registration documents the date that the voter's registration was cancelled and retain the documents for the time period specified in section 23 , either in the same file, or in a separate file. The registrar must retain the voter registration documents for each rejected voter in a separate file for the time period specified in section 23 . [PL 2005, c. 568, §9 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1004-B — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1004-B
21-A §1004-B. Enforcement of penalties assessed by the commission
Status: in_force

The commission staff shall collect the full amount of any penalty and the return of Maine Clean Election Act funds required by the commission to be returned for a violation of the statutes or rules administered by the commission and has all necessary powers to carry out these duties. Failure to pay the full amount of any penalty assessed by the commission or return of Maine Clean Election Act funds is a civil violation by the candidate, treasurer, party committee, political action committee or other person. Thirty days after issuing the notice of penalty or order for the return of funds, the commission shall report to the Attorney General the name of any person who has failed to pay the full amount of any penalty or to return Maine Clean Election Act funds unless the commission has provided an extended deadline for payment. The Attorney General shall enforce the violation in a civil action to collect up to 3 times the outstanding amount of the penalty or unreturned Maine Clean Election Act funds. This action must be brought in the Superior Court for Kennebec County or the District Court, 7th District, Division of Southern Kennebec. [PL 2023, c. 324, §7 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 352 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 352
21-A §352. Qualification for presidential elector and county office
Status: in_force

A candidate for the office of presidential elector or any county office must be a resident of and a voter in the electoral division the candidate seeks to represent on the date established for filing nomination petitions in the year the candidate seeks election. The elected official must maintain a voting residence in that electoral division during the elected official's term of office. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §45 (COR).]
21-A M.R.S. § 115 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 115
21-A §115. Restrictions
Status: in_force

1. Certain persons may not register or vote. [PL 2001, c. 516, §1 (RP).]

2. Voting restricted to district. In a municipality that has voting districts, a voter may vote using only the ballot or ballots for the district in which the voter resides on election day. [PL 2003, c. 447, §5 (AMD).]

3. Correct name and address on incoming voting list. A person whose name, or residence address in a municipality that has voting districts, does not appear correctly on the incoming voting list on election day may not vote at any election until it is corrected as provided in section 661 . [PL 2005, c. 453, §11 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1015 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1015
21-A §1015. Limitations on contributions and expenditures
Status: in_force

1. Contributions by individuals. An individual may not make contributions to a candidate in support of the candidacy of one person aggregating more than $1,950 in any election for a gubernatorial candidate, more than $475 for a legislative candidate, more than $575 for a candidate for municipal office and more than $975 in any election for any other candidate. This limitation does not apply to contributions in support of a candidate by that candidate or that candidate's spouse or domestic partner. Beginning December 1, 2024, contribution limits in accordance with this subsection are adjusted every 2 years based on the Consumer Price Index as reported by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics and rounded to the nearest amount divisible by $25. The commission shall post the current contribution limit and the amount of the next adjustment and the date that it will become effective on its publicly accessible website and include this information with any publication to be used as a guide for candidates. [PL 2023, c. 244, §4 (AMD).]

2. Contributions by party committees, ballot question committees and political action committees. [PL 2023, c. 244, §5 (RP).]

2-A. Contributions by business entities. [PL 2023, c. 244, §6 (RP).]

2-B. Committees; corporations; associations. A political committee, political action committee, ballot question committee or other committee, firm, partnership, corporation, association or organization may not make contributions to a candidate in support of the candidacy of one person aggregating more than $1,950 in any election for a gubernatorial candidate, more than $475 for a legislative candidate, more than $575 for a candidate for municipal office and more than $975 in any election for any other candidate. Beginning December 1, 2024, contribution limits in accordance with this subsection are adjusted every 2 years based on the Consumer Price Index as reported by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics and rounded to the nearest amount divisible by $25. The commission shall post the current contribution limit and the amount of the next adjustment and the date that it will become effective on its publicly accessible website and include this information with any publication to be used as a guide for candidates. [PL 2023, c. 244, §7 (NEW).]

2-C. Contributions by individuals to political action committees making independent expenditures. An individual may not make contributions aggregating more than $5,000 in any calendar year to a political action committee for the purpose of making independent expenditures under section 1019‑B, subsection 1. Beginning December 1, 2024, contribution limits in accordance with this subsection are adjusted every 2 years based on the Consumer Price Index as reported by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics and rounded to the nearest amount divisible by $25. The commission shall post the current contribution limit and the amount of the next adjustment and the date that it will become effective on its publicly accessible website and include this information with any publication to be used as a guide for candidates. [IB 2023, c. 4, §1 (NEW).]

2-D. Contributions by political action committees and business entities to political action committees making independent expenditures. A leadership political action committee, a separate segregated fund committee, a caucus political action committee, any other political action committee or any business entity may not make contributions aggregating more than $5,000 in any calendar year to a political action committee for the purpose of making independent expenditures under section 1019‑B, subsection 1. Beginning December 1, 2024, contribution limits in accordance with this subsection are adjusted every 2 years based on the Consumer Price Index as reported by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics and rounded to the nearest amount divisible by $25. The commission shall post the current contribution limit and the amount of the next adjustment and the date that it will become effective on its publicly accessible website and include this information with any publication to be used as a guide for candidates. For purposes of this subsection, "business entity" includes a firm, partnership, corporation, incorporated association, labor organization or other organization, whether organized as a for‑profit or a nonprofit entity. [IB 2023, c. 4, §2 (NEW).]

3. Aggregate contributions. [PL 2023, c. 324, §9 (RP).]

3-A. Contributions to candidate seeking nomination by petition; primary election period. For the purposes of contribution limits under subsections 1 and 2‑B applicable to a candidate seeking nomination by petition, "any election," when referring to a primary election, includes the period beginning on the day after the most recent general election for the office that candidate is seeking and ending on the day of the primary election for that office. [PL 2025, c. 181, §1 (NEW).]

4. Political committees; intermediaries. For the purpose of the limitations imposed by this section, contributions made to any political committee authorized by a candidate to accept contributions on the candidate's behalf are considered to be contributions made to that candidate. If the campaign activities of a political action committee within a calendar year primarily promote or support the nomination or election of a single candidate, contributions to the committee that were solicited by the candidate are considered to be contributions made to the candidate for purposes of the limitations in this section. For purposes of this subsection, solicitation of contributions includes but is not limited to the candidate's appearing at a fundraising event organized by or on behalf of the political action committee or suggesting that a donor make a contribution to that committee. For the purposes of the limitations imposed by this section, all contributions made by a person, either directly or indirectly, on behalf of a particular candidate, that are in any way earmarked or otherwise directed through an intermediary or conduit to the candidate are considered to be contributions from that person to the candidate. The intermediary or conduit shall report the original source and the intended recipient of the contribution to the commission and to the intended recipient. [PL 2011, c. 389, §14 (AMD).]

5. Other contributions and expenditures. Any expenditure made by any person in cooperation, consultation or concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate, a candidate's political committee or their agents is considered to be a contribution to that candidate. The financing by any person of the dissemination, distribution or republication, in whole or in part, of any broadcast or any written or other campaign materials prepared by the candidate, the candidate's political committee or committees or their authorized agents is considered to be a contribution to that candidate. [PL 1989, c. 504, §§7, 31 (AMD).]

6. Prohibited expenditures. A candidate, a treasurer, a political committee, a party or party committee, a person required to file a report under this subchapter or their authorized agents may not make any expenditures for liquor to be distributed to or consumed by voters while the polls are open on election day. [PL 1991, c. 839, §11 (AMD); PL 1991, c. 839, §34 (AFF).]

7. Voluntary limitations on political expenditures. A candidate may voluntarily agree to limit the total expenditures made on behalf of that candidate's campaign as specified in section 1013‑A, subsection 1, paragraph C and subsections 8 and 9 . [PL 1995, c. 384, §2 (NEW).]

8. Political expenditure limitation amounts. Total expenditures in any election for legislative office by a candidate who voluntarily agrees to limit campaign expenditures as provided in subsection 7 are as follows: A. For State Senator, $25,000; and [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §14 (AMD).] B. For State Representative, $5,000. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §14 (AMD).] C. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §14 (RP).] Expenditure limits are per election and may not be carried forward from one election to another. For calculation and reporting purposes, the reporting periods established in section 1017 apply. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §14 (AMD).]

9. Publication of list. The commission shall publish a list of the candidates for State Representative and State Senator who have agreed to voluntarily limit total expenditures for their campaigns as provided in section 1013‑A, subsection 1, paragraph C . For the purposes of subsections 7 and 8 and this subsection, "total expenditures" means the sum of all expenditures made to influence a single election that are made by a candidate or made on the candidate's behalf by the candidate's political committee or committees, the candidate's party or the candidate's immediate family. [PL 1995, c. 384, §2 (NEW).]

10. Business entity defined. [PL 2023, c. 244, §8 (RP).]
21-A M.R.S. § 384 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 384
21-A §384. Election officials
Status: in_force

The municipal officers may appoint a qualified person to fill a vacancy in the office of any election official. [PL 1993, c. 447, §6 (AMD).]

1. Limitation. [PL 1999, c. 426, §16 (RP).]
21-A M.R.S. § 142 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 142
21-A §142. Enrollment procedure
Status: in_force

A voter who had initially chosen not to enroll in a particular party may later enroll in a party by filing an application with the registrar personally or by mail or by submitting an online voter registration application, at any time, except that on election day a voter must enroll in person. [PL 2021, c. 439, §6 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 439, §15 (AFF).]

1. Content of application. [PL 2019, c. 371, §5 (RP).]

1-A. Application. To enroll in a party, an applicant must complete and sign an approved state voter registration application as provided in section 152 or 154 , the national mail voter registration form published by the United States Election Assistance Commission or the federal postcard application published by the United States Department of Defense, Federal Voting Assistance Program. [PL 2019, c. 371, §6 (NEW).]

2. Party designation. On receipt of the application, the registrar shall enter the party designation of the applicant into the central voter registration system and file the application. [PL 2005, c. 453, §24 (AMD).]

3. Length of time in party. Once a voter has enrolled in a party, the voter must remain in that party for 3 months before the voter can file an application for either a withdrawal or a change in enrollment. [PL 2001, c. 310, §5 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 314 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 314
21-A §314. Challenges
Status: in_force

An enrolled voter of a municipality may challenge the right of another to vote at a municipal caucus. The person challenged may vote at the caucus after that person has taken the following oath administered by the chair of the caucus. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §39 (COR).]

1. Oath. "I, (name of challenged person), swear that I am a registered and enrolled voter in this voting district, that I am a member of the party holding this caucus, and that I have not been enrolled in any other party in this municipality within the last 15 days." [PL 1993, c. 695, §21 (AMD).]

2. Oath recorded and copy sent to registrar. The secretary of the caucus shall record the administration of the oath and shall send a copy of the record to the registrar. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

3. Registrar to compare records. On receipt of the copy of the record, the registrar shall compare it with the voting and enrollment records. If the oath is false, the person who swore to it is guilty of a Class E crime. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 738 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 738
21-A §738. Statewide referendum ballots
Status: in_force

Except as provided by this section, the method of conducting a recount of a statewide referendum is governed by section 737‑A . Appeal of challenged or disputed ballots is to the Supreme Judicial Court. [PL 2017, c. 141, §8 (NEW).]

1. Recount request. To request a recount of a statewide referendum, a petition signed by 200 or more registered voters must be submitted to the Secretary of State within 8 business days after the election. The Secretary of State shall provide a petition form for this purpose to any registered voter in the State who requests it within 2 days of receiving the request. [PL 2017, c. 141, §8 (NEW).]

2. Deposit for recount. A representative of the recount petitioners shall pay the deposit required by this section when the petition is submitted to the Secretary of State. The amount of the deposit is calculated as follows. A. If the difference shown by the official tabulation between the yes and the no votes is 1% or less of the total votes cast for that question or not more than 1,000 votes, whichever is less, a deposit is not required. Petitioners who are not required to pay a deposit pursuant to this subsection may not be charged for the recount regardless of whether the procedure changes the result of the election. [PL 2017, c. 141, §8 (NEW).] B. If the difference shown by the official tabulation between the yes and the no votes is more than 1% of the total votes cast for that question or more than 1,000 votes, whichever is less, the deposit is $5,000 or 10% of the reasonable estimate of the cost to the State of performing the first stage of the recount, whichever is greater. After the completion of the recount, if the recount has not changed the result of the election, the Secretary of State shall calculate the cost of the procedure, which must be paid by the petitioners. If the deposit is greater than the actual cost, the overpayment must be refunded to the petitioners. If the actual cost is greater than the deposit, the petitioners shall pay to the State the remainder of the actual cost. Once the courier, or the State Police if requested, has taken custody of the ballots and other election materials for the first stage of the recount, the deposit made by the petitioners is forfeited to the State even if the petitioners withdraw from the recount before the recount begins. If a recount reverses the result of the election, the deposit must be returned to the petitioners. [PL 2019, c. 371, §34 (AMD).] [PL 2019, c. 371, §34 (AMD).]

3. Order of recounts. If a ballot contains state and local candidates or questions and a recount is requested, the Secretary of State shall determine which requests for recount must be honored first when more than one request is presented. If recounts are requested for more than one office or referendum question that is included on the same state ballot for one or more jurisdictions, the Secretary of State may determine a process for counting the ballots for both offices or questions simultaneously. [PL 2017, c. 141, §8 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 751 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 751
21-A §751. Proper at any election
Status: in_force

Absentee ballots may be cast at any election by any voter who requests an absentee ballot as provided under this subchapter. The voter need not specify a reason to receive an absentee ballot. [PL 1999, c. 645, §4 (RPR).]

1. Absence. [PL 1999, c. 645, §4 (RP).]

2. Incapacity. [PL 1999, c. 645, §4 (RP).]

3. Religious belief. [PL 1999, c. 645, §4 (RP).]

4. Confinement. [PL 1999, c. 645, §4 (RP).]

5. Distance from polls. [PL 1999, c. 645, §4 (RP).]

6. At registrar's office. [PL 1985, c. 357, §6 (RP).]

6-A. Working when polls are open. [PL 1999, c. 645, §4 (RP).]

7. Residence in certain facilities. [PL 1999, c. 645, §4 (RP).]

8. Citizens outside the United States. [PL 1999, c. 645, §4 (RP).]

9. Marginal literacy. [PL 1999, c. 645, §4 (RP).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1019-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1019-A
21-A §1019-A. Reports of membership communications
Status: in_force

Any membership organization or corporation that makes a communication to its members or stockholders expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate shall report any expenses related to such communications aggregating in excess of $100 in any one candidate's election race, notwithstanding the fact that such communications are not expenditures under section 1012, subsection 3, paragraph A . Reports required by this section must be filed with the commission on forms prescribed and prepared by the commission and according to a reporting schedule that the commission shall establish by rule. [PL 2019, c. 323, §14 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 662 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 662
21-A §662. Warden
Status: in_force

A warden has the following powers and duties. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1. Enforcement of election law. The warden shall enforce the law governing voting and counting procedures at the voting place over which the warden has jurisdiction on election day. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §54 (COR).]

2. Order at voting place. The warden shall keep order at all times in and around the voting place. The warden shall direct that any person who creates a disturbance or otherwise violates the law at the voting place be removed from it and, if necessary, confined until the polls are closed. A. On request of the warden, a peace officer shall remove, confine or arrest a person who creates a disturbance or otherwise violates the law at a voting place. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §55 (COR).]

3. Control of election clerk. The election clerks at the voting place are under the supervision and control of the warden. The warden may assign their duties for convenience and efficiency and may delegate the warden's ministerial duties to them. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §56 (COR).]

4. Collection of signatures. [PL 2025, c. 397, §39 (RP).]
21-A M.R.S. § 144 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 144
21-A §144. Change of enrollment
Status: in_force

A voter may change the voter's enrollment after 3 months from the date on which the voter enrolled by filing an application with the registrar personally, by mail or by submitting an online voter registration application. When a voter files an application to change enrollment on the day of a primary election, the application is deemed received the following business day. [PL 2021, c. 439, §7 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 439, §15 (AFF).]

1. Content of application. The application must contain the following information: Name of applicant, the date of birth, residence address, name of party in which enrollment is requested, signature of the applicant and the date of application. If the voter submits an online voter registration application, the applicant must meet the requirements of section 152, subsection 1, paragraph K to satisfy the signature requirement of this subsection. [PL 2021, c. 439, §8 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 439, §15 (AFF).]

2. Party designation removed. On receipt of the application, the registrar shall remove the party designation of the applicant from the central voter registration system. The registrar shall indicate in the central voter registration system that the applicant is ineligible to vote at a caucus or primary election for 15 days by designating the party enrollment field with the letter "X." Fifteen days after receiving the application, the registrar shall enroll the applicant in the party requested and enter the new party designation in the party enrollment field. This subsection does not apply in the case of a voter who changes enrollment under subsection 4 . [PL 2005, c. 453, §27 (AMD).]

3. Restrictions during change of enrollment. Except as provided in subsection 4 , a voter may not vote at a caucus, convention or primary election for 15 days after filing an application to change enrollment. A voter may sign a primary nomination petition during the 15-day period after filing an application to change enrollment, and the voter’s signature must be counted as valid, as long as the 15-day period has elapsed by the time the petition is certified pursuant to section 335, subsection 7 and the voter otherwise is qualified to sign a petition for that office. Notwithstanding subsection 4 , a voter must file an application to change enrollment prior to January 1st to be eligible to file a petition as a candidate in that election year. [PL 2013, c. 457, §2 (RPR).]

4. Change of residence. When a voter changes residence from one municipality to another and establishes a new voting residence there, that voter may enroll in any party and vote at a caucus, convention or primary election, regardless of that voter's previous enrollment. [PL 2013, c. 173, §2 (AMD).]

5. Holidays. If the 15th day before a primary election is a holiday, the registrar shall deem any change of enrollment submitted on the next business day to be received on the 15th day before the election for purposes of this section. [PL 2025, c. 397, §7 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 128 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 128
21-A §128. Registrar to check records
Status: in_force

Before printing the final incoming voting list prior to any election, the registrar shall update the central voter registration system as follows: [PL 2005, c. 453, §20 (AMD).]

1. Registrar shall review records. The registrar shall review the records of marriage, death, change of name and change of address in the office of the clerk or the assessors or as provided by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records or the Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles and shall revise the central voter registration system accordingly. A. In addition to official records authorized by this subsection, the registrar or the Secretary of State may use the following notices of death as a basis to cancel a voter's record in the central voter registration system as long as the registrar or Secretary of State determines that the record matches the record of that registered voter. (1) A published obituary may be used if it contains the name of the registered voter along with the date and place of death of that voter. (2) A notice from an immediate family member of the registered voter may be used if it contains the name of the voter along with the date and place of death of that voter and is signed by the immediate family member. The Secretary of State shall design a form to be used for this purpose; [PL 2019, c. 636, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2019, c. 636, §1 (AMD).]

2. Clerk provides list. The clerk shall, if requested, provide the registrar with a list, certified by the clerk to be true, of the marriages, deaths and changes that took place since the last update of the central voter registration system. The registrar shall use this list to update the central voter registration system accordingly; or [PL 2005, c. 453, §20 (AMD).]

3. Marriage; notice of inquiry. If the registrar determines that a voter has married, the registrar may not for that reason alone cancel a voter's registration in the central voter registration system. The registrar may send a notice inquiring whether, as a result of marriage, that voter's name or address has been changed. Nothing in this subsection relieves a voter of the duty to give the registrar written notice of a change of name or address in accordance with section 129 . [PL 2005, c. 453, §20 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 551 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 8 / Section 551
21-A §551. Short title
Status: in_force

This chapter may be known and cited as the "Term Limitation Act of 1993." [IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).]
21-A M.R.S. § 663 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 663
21-A §663. Authority of Secretary of State during emergencies
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State may act administratively to facilitate voting by civilian registered voters of this State who live in an area within the United States that is affected by a natural disaster or other occurrence for which the governor of that state has declared a state of emergency covering that area, or for registered voters of this State who are emergency workers, utility workers or others responding to and offering assistance to the area in which a state of emergency has been declared. These administrative actions may include, but are not limited to, central issuance and receipt of absentee ballots for federal and state elections using the systems and procedures developed for uniformed service voters and overseas voters. [PL 2013, c. 131, §18 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1124 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 14 / Section 1124
21-A §1124. The Maine Clean Election Fund established; sources of funding
Status: in_force

1. Established. The Maine Clean Election Fund is established to finance the election campaigns of certified Maine Clean Election Act candidates running for Governor, State Senator and State Representative and to pay administrative and enforcement costs of the commission related to this Act. The fund is a special, dedicated, nonlapsing fund and any interest generated by the fund is credited to the fund. The commission shall administer the fund. [IB 1995, c. 1, §17 (NEW).]

2. Sources of funding. The following must be deposited in the fund: A. The qualifying contributions and additional qualifying contributions required under section 1125 when those contributions are submitted to the commission; [IB 2015, c. 1, §14 (AMD).] B. Three million dollars of the revenues from the taxes imposed under Title 36, Parts 3 and 8 and credited to the General Fund, transferred to the fund by the State Controller on or before January 1st of each year, beginning January 1, 1999. These revenues must be offset in an equitable manner by an equivalent reduction in tax expenditures as defined in Title 36, section 199‑A, subsection 2 . This section may not affect the funds distributed to the Local Government Fund under Title 30‑A, section 5681 . [IB 2015, c. 1, §14 (AMD).] C. Revenue from a tax checkoff program allowing a resident of the State who files a tax return with the State Tax Assessor to designate that $3 be paid into the fund. In the case of a joint return, each spouse may designate that $3 be paid. The State Tax Assessor shall report annually the amounts designated for the fund to the State Controller, who shall transfer that amount to the fund; [IB 2015, c. 1, §14 (AMD).] D. Seed money contributions remaining unspent after a candidate has been certified as a Maine Clean Election Act candidate; [IB 1995, c. 1, §17 (NEW).] E. Fund revenues that were distributed to a Maine Clean Election Act candidate and that remain unspent after the candidate has lost a primary election or after all general elections; [IB 1995, c. 1, §17 (NEW).] F. Other unspent fund revenues distributed to any Maine Clean Election Act candidate who does not remain a candidate throughout a primary or general election cycle; [IB 1995, c. 1, §17 (NEW).] G. Voluntary donations made directly to the fund; and [IB 1995, c. 1, §17 (NEW).] H. Fines collected under section 1020‑A, subsection 4‑A and section 1127 . [PL 2011, c. 389, §50 (AMD).] [IB 2015, c. 1, §14 (AMD).]

3. Determination of fund amount. [IB 2015, c. 1, §14 (RP).]

4. Report on fund amount; operating margin. By January 1st of each year the commission shall provide to the Legislature and the Governor a report of its projection of the revenues and expenditures of the Maine Clean Election Fund for the subsequent 4-year period. The commission shall include in the report an operating margin of 20% to ensure sufficient funds in the event of higher-than-expected participation in the Maine Clean Election Act. If any such report shows that the projected revenue for the subsequent 4-year period exceeds the projected expenses for that 4-year period plus the 20% operating margin, the commission shall notify the Legislature and the Governor and request that the amount of expected funding that exceeds the expected demand on the fund plus the operating margin be transferred to the General Fund. The Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Revenue Services shall assist the commission with revenue projections required by this subsection. If at any time the commission determines that projected revenue is not sufficient to cover the projected demand for funds in the 4-year period plus the operating margin, the commission may submit legislation to request additional funding. [IB 2015, c. 1, §14 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 726 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 726
21-A §726. Post-election audits
Status: in_force

1. Definition. For purposes of this section, "eligible election" includes any contested election for state or federal office and any election on a statewide referendum question. [PL 2021, c. 635, Pt. ZZ, §2 (NEW).]

2. Authority. Beginning January 1, 2025, the Secretary of State may conduct post-election audits of selected eligible elections pursuant to this section. [PL 2021, c. 635, Pt. ZZ, §2 (NEW).]

3. Post-election audit design. Post-election audits must be conducted on the basis of statistical principles designed to limit the risk that certified election returns may produce an incorrect outcome. The risk limit must be established by the Secretary of State prior to each eligible election. Auditors shall visually examine each original, paper ballot selected for the audit and shall review the records documenting the chain of custody and secure storage of ballots as well as any additional documents identified by the Secretary of State by rule. [PL 2021, c. 635, Pt. ZZ, §2 (NEW).]

4. Selection of elections to be audited. Eligible elections to be audited must be selected in accordance with criteria established by the Secretary of State by rule. [PL 2021, c. 635, Pt. ZZ, §2 (NEW).]

5. Public proceeding. A post-election audit is a public proceeding as defined in Title 1, section 402, subsection 2 . Notwithstanding Title 1, section 403 , the Secretary of State may limit the number of members of the public and representatives of the media who may attend if there is insufficient space and the presence of additional individuals would interfere with the conduct of the post-election audit. The public notice required by Title 1, section 406 must be provided at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of the post-election audit. [PL 2021, c. 635, Pt. ZZ, §2 (NEW).]

6. Partisan political activities prohibited. Staff in the Department of the Secretary of State who conduct a post-election audit pursuant to this section may not engage in partisan political activities that create an appearance of partiality with regard to an election administered by the department, including but not limited to making a contribution to a campaign, serving on a political action committee or campaign committee or soliciting votes in support of or in opposition to an issue or candidate appearing on a ballot. [PL 2021, c. 635, Pt. ZZ, §2 (NEW).]

7. Rulemaking. The Secretary of State may adopt rules to implement this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2021, c. 635, Pt. ZZ, §2 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 732 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 732
21-A §732. Procedure
Status: in_force

When there is an apparent tie vote, the Secretary of State shall automatically initiate a recount. If a recount confirms a tie vote, the following provisions apply. [PL 2025, c. 114, §1 (AMD).]

1. Primary election. In a primary election, the Secretary of State shall notify each person involved in the tie to be present at the Secretary of State's office at a certain time. At that time, the Secretary of State shall select the nominee publicly by lot. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §58 (COR).]

2. Other elections. In any other election, the Governor shall issue a proclamation under section 366 declaring the tie and ordering a special election between the persons tied. A. If there is a tie vote for presidential electors, the Governor shall convene the Legislature by proclamation. The Legislature by joint ballot of the members assembled in convention shall determine which are elected. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] B. This subsection does not apply to the election of the following offices which are governed by the Constitution of the State of Maine or the Constitution of the United States: United States Senator, Representative to Congress, Governor and members of the Legislature. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] C. If there is a tie vote for State Senator or Representative to the Legislature as finally determined by the proper House under the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 3, the Governor shall issue a proclamation under section 366 declaring the tie and ordering a special election between the persons tied. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

3. Referendum. In a referendum, other than on a liquor local option question, the negative vote prevails. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1206 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 15 / Section 1206
21-A §1206. Reapportionment
Status: in_force

Congressional districts must be reapportioned as follows. [PL 1995, c. 360, §1 (AMD).]

1. Procedure. In 2021 and every 10 years thereafter, when the Secretary of State has received notification of the number of congressional seats to which the State is entitled and the Federal Decennial Census population count is final, the Legislative Apportionment Commission, established every 10 years pursuant to the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 1-A, shall review the existing congressional districts. If the districts do not conform to Supreme Judicial Court guidelines, the commission shall reapportion the State into congressional districts. In making such a reapportionment, the commission shall ensure that each congressional district is formed of compact and contiguous territory and crosses political subdivisions the least number of times necessary to establish districts as equally populated as possible. The commission shall submit its plan to the Clerk of the House of Representatives no later than June 1st of the year in which apportionment is required. The Legislature shall enact the submitted plan of the commission or a plan of its own in regular or special session by a vote of 2/3 of the members of each house by June 11th of the year in which apportionment is required. This action is subject to the Governor's approval, as provided in the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 2. [PL 2013, c. 85, §1 (AMD).]

2. Court apportionment. If the Legislature fails to make an apportionment by June 11th of the year in which apportionment is required, the Supreme Judicial Court shall make the apportionment within 60 days following the period in which the Legislature is required to act but fails to do so. In making the apportionment, the Supreme Judicial Court shall take into consideration plans and briefs filed by the public with the court during the first 30 days of the period in which the court is required to apportion. [PL 2013, c. 85, §1 (AMD).]

3. Judicial review. The Supreme Judicial Court has original jurisdiction to hear any challenge to an apportionment law enacted by the Legislature, as registered by any citizen or group of citizens. If a challenge is sustained, the Supreme Judicial Court shall make the apportionment. [PL 1993, c. 628, §2 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 180 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 180
21-A §180. State coordinator
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State is the coordinator of state responsibilities under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, referred to in this subchapter as "NVRA." [PL 1993, c. 695, §20 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 626 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 626
21-A §626. Polling times
Status: in_force

The following provisions apply to polling times at any election. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1. Opening time flexible. The polls must be opened no earlier than 6 a.m. and no later than 8 a.m. on election day, except that in municipalities with a population of less than 500, the polls must be opened no later than 10:00 a.m. The municipal officers of each municipality shall determine the time of opening the polls within these limits. [PL 2015, c. 447, §16 (AMD).]

2. Closing time fixed. The polls must be closed at 8 p.m. on election day, except in municipalities of population less than 100 which may close the polls after all registered voters have voted. A. The warden shall give all voters present at the voting place at closing time the opportunity to vote. Any person who arrives at the voting place after the time for closing the polls has passed may not vote. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW); PL 1985, c. 277 (AMD).]

3. Polling times in election notice. The municipal clerk shall state the times of opening and closing the polls in the notice of the election. [PL 1997, c. 436, §89 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 302 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 302
21-A §302. Formation of new party; organization about a candidate
Status: in_force

A party whose designation was not listed on the general election ballot in the last preceding general election qualifies to participate in a primary election, if it meets the requirements of subsections 1 and 2 . [PL 1999, c. 450, §2 (AMD).]

1. Declaration of intent. A voter or a group of voters not enrolled in a party qualified under section 301 must file a declaration of intent to form a party with the Secretary of State before 5 p.m. on the 180th day preceding the next primary election. The declaration of intent must be on a form designed by the Secretary of State and must include: A. The designation of the proposed party; [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] B. The name of a candidate for Governor or for President in the last preceding general election who was nominated by petition under subchapter II and who received 5% or more of the total vote cast in the State for Governor or for President in that election; [PL 1999, c. 450, §3 (AMD).] C. The signed consent of that candidate; and [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] D. The name, address, telephone number, if published, and signature of the voter or one of the group of voters who files the declaration of intent. [PL 1997, c. 436, §42 (AMD).] [PL 1999, c. 450, §3 (AMD).]

2. Enrollment of voters. After filing the declaration described in subsection 1 , the voter or voters proposing to form the party may then enroll voters in the proposed party under sections 141 to 145 . [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

3. Municipal caucuses. A party that has qualified under subsections 1 and 2 to participate in a primary election must conduct municipal caucuses in at least one municipality in each of the 16 counties during that election year as prescribed in Article II. The chair of the municipal committee or a resident voter in the municipality must file a copy of the notice required by section 311, subsection 3 with the Secretary of State before 5 p.m. on March 20th. [PL 1999, c. 450, §4 (AMD).]

4. Convention. A party that has qualified under subsections 1 and 2 to participate in a primary election must in that same year conduct the municipal caucuses under subsection 3 and hold a state convention as prescribed by Article III in order to have the party designation of its candidates printed on the ballot in the general election of that year. The voter or group of voters who files the declaration of intent may perform the duties of the state committee under section 321, subsection 1 for the party's initial convention. [PL 1999, c. 450, §5 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 791 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 791
21-A §791. Violations and penalties
Status: in_force

1. Class E crime. The commission of any act described as follows in this subsection is a Class E crime: A. [PL 1991, c. 466, §36 (RP).] B. A municipal clerk who, when a person has voted by absentee ballot in the clerk's presence under section 753‑B, subsection 8 , signs the clerk's name to an affidavit on the absentee ballot return envelope when the affidavit is not properly completed; or [PL 1999, c. 645, §12 (AMD).] C. A 3rd person, designated in an application or request for an absentee ballot, who receives an absentee ballot from the clerk in accordance with that application or request, and who, without good cause, fails to return that absentee ballot to the clerk's office within the time limit provided in section 755 . [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] [PL 1999, c. 645, §12 (AMD).]

2. Class D crime. A person commits a Class D crime if that person: A. Delivers, receives, accepts, notarizes or witnesses an absentee ballot for any compensation. This paragraph does not apply to a governmental employee handling ballots in the course of that employee's official duties or a person who handles absentee ballots before the unvoted ballots are delivered to the municipality or after the voted ballots are returned to the clerk. [PL 1993, c. 473, §37 (RPR); PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF).] B. [PL 1993, c. 473, §37 (RP); PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF).] C. [PL 1993, c. 473, §37 (RP); PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF).] [PL 1993, c. 473, §37 (RPR); PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF).]

3. Class C crime. A person commits a Class C crime if that person: A. Forges the name of another on an absentee ballot, the return envelope or the application for an absentee ballot; or [PL 1993, c. 473, §38 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF).] B. Is a candidate who, notwithstanding this subchapter, delivers, receives, accepts, notarizes, assists or witnesses an absentee ballot, other than the candidate's own absentee ballot, furnished by the clerk of a municipality in this State. This paragraph does not apply to an elected municipal clerk who is a candidate for reelection to the office of municipal clerk, where there is no other candidate for that office. In a contested election for the office of clerk, a clerk may not be exempted from the provisions of this paragraph but shall instead appoint a deputy or an assistant to whom the municipality shall pay all associated costs for the duration of the deputy's or assistant's temporary employment in that capacity. [PL 2009, c. 253, §52 (AMD).] [PL 2009, c. 253, §52 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 737-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 737-A
21-A §737-A. Recount
Status: in_force

Once a recount is requested for any federal, state or county office, the Secretary of State shall request that the State Police, sworn law enforcement officers employed by the Department of the Secretary of State or other sworn law enforcement officers take physical control of the ballots and other related materials needed for the recount as soon as possible and deliver them to the recount facility. When the recount involves an office that encompasses more than one county, the Secretary of State may organize retrieval of ballots from certain jurisdictions so that the recount may be conducted in stages until the requesting candidate or lead applicant for a referendum recount concedes or until all the ballots are recounted. [PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §20 (RPR).]

The Secretary of State shall store and maintain exclusive control over the ballots and other materials pending and during the recount and until the sworn law enforcement officers or the State Police retrieve the materials for return to the municipalities. [PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §21 (AMD).]

Any candidate other than the apparent winner who desires a recount must file with the Secretary of State a written request for a recount within 5 business days after the election, except that in an election determined by ranked‑choice voting, only a candidate who received one of the top 3 rankings at the end of the penultimate round of ranked‑choice counting may request a recount. The recount is held under the supervision of the Secretary of State, who shall allow the candidate's representatives or counsel to recount the ballots. The candidate may not act as a counter of ballots. [PL 2025, c. 114, §2 (AMD).]

If, after the official tabulation is submitted to the Governor, the apparent winner is determined the losing candidate, that candidate may request a recount within 3 business days after the date the Governor receives the tabulation. [PL 2015, c. 447, §28 (AMD).]

1. Deposit for legislative or single county office recount. This subsection applies to a recount for an election for the office of State Senator or State Representative or for a county office that does not encompass more than one county. All deposits required by this section must be made with the Secretary of State when a recount is requested by a losing candidate or an undeclared write-in candidate. Once the sworn law enforcement officers or the State Police have taken custody of the ballots and other election materials from the municipalities, the deposit made by the candidate requesting the recount is forfeited to the State if the resulting count fails to change the outcome of the election. If the recount reverses the election, the deposit must be returned to the candidate requesting the recount. The amount of the deposit is calculated as follows. A. If the percentage difference shown by the official tabulation between the leading candidate and the requesting candidate is 1.5% or less of the total votes cast for that office, a deposit is not required. [PL 2015, c. 447, §29 (AMD).] B. If the percentage difference shown by the official tabulation between the leading candidate and the requesting candidate is more than 1.5% and less than or equal to 4% of the total votes cast for that office, the deposit is $500. [PL 2015, c. 447, §29 (AMD).] C. If the percentage difference shown by the official tabulation between the leading candidate and the requesting candidate is more than 4% and less than or equal to 6% of the total votes cast for that office, the deposit is $1,000. [PL 2003, c. 447, §25 (AMD).] D. If the percentage difference shown by the official tabulation between the leading candidate and the requesting candidate is more than 6% and less than or equal to 8% of the total votes cast for that office, the deposit is $2,500. [PL 2003, c. 447, §25 (NEW).] E. If the percentage difference shown by the official tabulation between the leading candidate and the requesting candidate is more than 8% and less than or equal to 10% of the total votes cast for that office, the deposit is $5,000. [PL 2003, c. 447, §25 (NEW).] F. If the percentage difference shown by the official tabulation between the leading candidate and the requesting candidate is more than 10% of the total votes cast for that office, the deposit is $10,000. [PL 2003, c. 447, §25 (NEW).] [PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §22 (AMD).]

1-A. Deposit for statewide or multicounty office recount. This subsection applies to a recount for an office not described by subsection 1 . A losing candidate who requests a recount must pay the deposit required by this subsection when the recount is requested. The amount of the deposit is calculated as follows. A. If the difference shown by the official tabulation between the leading candidate and the requesting candidate is 1% or less of the total votes cast for that office or not more than 1,000 votes, whichever is less, a deposit is not required. A candidate who is not required to pay a deposit pursuant to this subsection may not be charged for the recount regardless of whether the procedure changes the result of the election. [PL 2017, c. 141, §5 (NEW).] B. If the difference shown by the official tabulation between the leading candidate and the requesting candidate is more than 1% of the total votes cast for that office or more than 1,000 votes, whichever is less, the deposit is $5,000 or 10% of the reasonable estimate of the cost to the State of performing the first stage of the recount, whichever is greater. After completion of the recount, if the recount has not changed the result of the election, the Secretary of State shall calculate the actual cost of the procedure, which must be paid by the requesting candidate. If the deposit is greater than the actual cost, the overpayment must be refunded to the candidate. If the actual cost is greater than the deposit, the candidate shall pay the remainder of the actual cost to the State. Once the sworn law enforcement officers or the State Police have taken custody of the ballots and other election materials for the first stage of the recount, the deposit made by the candidate requesting the recount is forfeited to the State even if the candidate withdraws from the recount before the recount begins. If a recount reverses the election, the deposit must be returned to the candidate requesting the recount. [PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §23 (AMD).] [PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §23 (AMD).]

2. Recount request. If a ballot contains the names of state and local candidates or questions, the Secretary of State shall determine which requests for recount must be honored first when more than one request is presented. If a recount is requested for more than one office or referendum question that is included on the same ballot for one or more jurisdictions, the Secretary of State may determine a process for counting the ballots for both offices or questions simultaneously. [PL 2017, c. 141, §6 (AMD).]

2-A. Recount for write-in candidates. For the purposes of this section, a declared write-in candidate who has complied with the requirements of section 722‑A is treated the same as any candidate whose name is printed on the ballot. [PL 2017, c. 141, §7 (AMD).]

3. Notice of recount. The Secretary of State shall send written notice of a recount to the candidates for the office in question, stating the time and place of the recount. [PL 1993, c. 473, §31 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF).]

4. Time of recount and designated recount candidates. The recount must be held as soon as reasonably possible at a time and place that affords the designated recount candidates a reasonable opportunity to be present. For purposes of this section, "the designated recount candidates" means the leading candidate and each candidate who has requested a recount and paid the applicable fee in accordance with this section. The recount involves a new count of the results for the designated recount candidates only. Once a candidate has requested a recount, the other candidates for that elective office must be notified of the request as soon as possible. Candidates for that elective office whose vote totals fall between the totals of the leading candidate and the requesting candidate must be provided with an opportunity to be included in the recount as a designated recount candidate by making a written request to join the recount and paying the applicable fee, either within 5 business days after the election or, if the recount request is made on the last day of that period, by the close of business on the next business day. Candidates for that elective office other than the designated recount candidates may be present to observe the recount but are not included in the recount, and their vote totals remain as indicated in the official results reported by the municipalities. [PL 2003, c. 447, §26 (AMD).]

5. Persons prohibited from working at recount. Confidential state employees, employees of the Legislature, candidates and elected state officials may not participate in ballot recounts in any capacity. This subsection does not prohibit employees within the Department of the Secretary of State, election officials and staff of the Department of the Attorney General and the Judicial Department from performing their duties with respect to a recount. [PL 1993, c. 473, §31 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF).]

6. List of recount personnel. The Secretary of State shall maintain a list of recount personnel for 2 years after the recount. [PL 1993, c. 473, §31 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF).]

7. Disputed ballots segregated. At the recount, the Secretary of State shall segregate disputed ballots. Disputed ballots that are not resolved must be photocopied by a representative of the Secretary of State. The photocopy of the ballot is not a public record and must be kept separate from the original ballots. When a recount is requested by a write-in candidate who did not receive the minimum number of votes required, if the write-in candidate is the only candidate at the recount and it appears from the recount that a sufficient number of votes for that candidate has been received at the election, then all ballots from that election are considered "disputed." [PL 1993, c. 473, §31 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF).]

8. Final recount tabulation. If the final recount tabulation as defined by rule is different than the results shown on the tabulation submitted to the Governor pursuant to section 722 , the Secretary of State shall submit a certified copy of a corrected tabulation to the Governor. [PL 2019, c. 371, §32 (AMD).]

9. Package resealed and marked. After a recount, if the election remains in dispute, the Secretary of State shall copy the incoming voting list, before proceeding to reseal the packages of ballots and incoming voting lists, noting the fact and date of the recount on the packages. The Secretary of State shall immediately send or deliver the copy of the incoming voting list to the clerk for the purpose of updating voter participation history in the central voter registration system. The clerk shall immediately send a receipt to the Secretary of State noting the date and time of delivery of the copy. All challenged and disputed ballots must be packaged separately. The challenged and disputed ballots must be kept until released to the court or to the Senate or the House of Representatives, if applicable, in case of an appeal. [PL 2009, c. 253, §45 (AMD).]

10. Appeals. For all elections, except for the offices of United States Senator, United States Representative, State Senator and State Representative, if there are enough challenged or disputed ballots to affect the result of an election, the Secretary of State shall forward the ballots and all related records for that election to the clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court. The Supreme Judicial Court shall determine the result of the election pursuant to procedures adopted by court rule. The decision of the Supreme Judicial Court is final and must be certified to the Governor by the Chief Justice. If there are enough challenged or disputed ballots to affect the result of an election to the office of United States Senator, United States Representative, State Senator or State Representative, the Secretary of State shall notify the appropriate officials according to the rules and procedures adopted by each of those legislative bodies. [PL 2019, c. 371, §33 (AMD).]

11. Withdrawal from recount. A candidate who requests and receives a recount may withdraw from the recount at any time while the recount shows that candidate to be the loser. If, during the recount, the candidate requesting the recount overtakes and passes the candidate who initially appeared to win the election, the candidate requesting the recount may not withdraw the request and the recount must be completed. [PL 1993, c. 473, §31 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF).]

12. Authority to adopt rules. The Secretary of State is authorized to adopt rules governing the conduct and procedures for a recount. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2009, c. 253, §46 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 164 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 164
21-A §164. Enrollment records
Status: in_force

The registrar shall designate each voter's enrollment status in the central voter registration system using the symbols prescribed by the Secretary of State. The registrar shall keep the voters' enrollment status current at all times, and shall keep a record of the enrollments added, changed or withdrawn and the date when the action was taken. [PL 2005, c. 453, §35 (RPR).]

1. Records current. [PL 2005, c. 453, §35 (RP).]

2. Record of names added and removed. [PL 2005, c. 453, §35 (RP).]
21-A M.R.S. § 754-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 754-A
21-A §754-A. Method of voting
Status: in_force

Except as provided in section 753‑B, subsection 8 and section 753‑C , the method of voting by absentee ballot is as follows. [PL 2005, c. 364, §9 (AMD).]

1. Ballot delivered to voter or immediate family member. When a voter or an immediate family member of a voter obtains a ballot from the clerk in person or by mail and returns that ballot to the clerk in person or by mail and receives no assistance in marking the ballot, the following procedures apply. A. The voter shall mark that ballot according to section 691 or 692 so that it is impossible for anyone present at the time to see how the voter voted. [PL 1997, c. 436, §112 (AMD).] B. While the voter is marking the ballot, there may be no communication between the voter and any other individual as to the person or question for which the voter is to vote. [PL 1985, c. 357, §§12, 19 (NEW).] C. After the voter has completed marking the ballot, the voter shall then seal the ballot in its return envelope and complete the affidavit on the envelope. A notary or witness certification is not required unless the voter is assisted pursuant to subsection 3 . [PL 2009, c. 253, §49 (AMD).] D. The voter or an immediate family member of the voter shall return the sealed envelope containing the voted ballot to the clerk of the municipality where the voter resides by mail, by personal delivery or by depositing it into a secured drop box accessible by only the municipal clerk. The voter shall send a completed voter registration or absentee ballot application, if necessary, in a separate envelope. [PL 2019, c. 371, §36 (AMD).] E. If an immediate family member of the voter returns an absentee ballot that was requested by the voter or another immediate family member of the voter, in writing or in person, the clerk shall accept the ballot. The clerk shall have the immediate family member who returned the ballot sign the application or written request and shall indicate that the ballot was returned by that person. [PL 1999, c. 645, §7 (NEW).] [PL 2019, c. 371, §36 (AMD).]

2. Ballot delivered by 3rd person or returned by 3rd person. When a ballot is delivered to the voter by a person other than the clerk or an immediate family member of the voter or is returned to the clerk by a person other than the voter, the clerk or an immediate family member of the voter and the voter receives no assistance in marking the ballot, the following procedures apply. A. The voter must mark the ballot in the presence of the following witness or witnesses: One notary public, clerk of a municipality or clerk of courts or 2 other individuals. The voter, before marking the ballot, must show it to the witness or witnesses who must examine it to be certain it is unmarked. [PL 1999, c. 645, §7 (AMD).] B. While the voter is marking the ballot, there may be no communication between the voter and any other individual as to the person or question for which the voter is to vote. [PL 1985, c. 357, §§12, 19 (NEW).] C. The voter must mark the ballot according to section 691 or 692 so that it is impossible for anyone present at the time to see how the voter voted. The voter must then seal the ballot in its return envelope and complete the affidavit on the envelope in the presence of the witness or witnesses, who shall sign the witness certification. [PL 1999, c. 645, §7 (AMD).] D. The voter must then complete the address on the envelope and mail or deliver it personally or by the 3rd person who was designated in the application to the clerk of the municipality of which the voter is a resident. The voter must send a completed voter registration or absentee ballot application, if necessary, in a separate envelope. [PL 1999, c. 645, §7 (AMD).] [PL 1999, c. 645, §7 (AMD).]

3. Assistance in reading or marking ballot. A voter who is unable to read or mark the ballot because of the voter's physical disability, illiteracy or religious faith must vote according to the procedures in this subsection instead of the procedures in subsection 1 or 2 . A. A voter who needs assistance may request another person, other than the voter's employer or agent of that employer or officer or agent of the voter's union, to assist the voter in reading or marking the ballot. [PL 1985, c. 357, §§12, 19 (NEW).] B. The voter or the aide must mark the ballot in the presence of one of the following witnesses: Notary public, clerk of a municipality, clerk of courts or another individual. [PL 1987, c. 736, §42 (AMD).] C. The voter or the aide, before marking the ballot, must show it to the witness who must examine it to be certain it is unmarked. [PL 1985, c. 357, §§12, 19 (NEW).] D. While the voter or the aide is marking the ballot, there may be no communication between the voter and any individual, other than the aide who must mark the ballot as the voter indicates, as to the person or question for which the voter is to vote. [PL 1985, c. 357, §§12, 19 (NEW).] E. The voter or the aide must mark the ballot according to section 691 or 692 so that it is impossible for anyone else present to see how the voter voted, then seal the ballot in its return envelope. The voter, or the aide at the voter's request, shall complete and sign the affidavit in the presence of the witness, who shall sign the witness certification. The aide must complete and sign the certification for aides on the outside of the envelope. [PL 1985, c. 357, §§12, 19 (NEW).] F. The voter or the aide must then complete the address on the envelope and mail or deliver it personally or by the 3rd person who was designated in the application to the clerk of the municipality of which the voter is a resident. The voter must send a completed voter registration or absentee ballot application, if necessary, in a separate envelope. [PL 1999, c. 645, §7 (AMD).] [PL 1999, c. 645, §7 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 818 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 818
21-A §818. Arrangement of voting place
Status: in_force

The municipal officers shall arrange each voting place in compliance with section 627 , except that voting booths need not be furnished. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1310 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 17 / Section 1310
21-A §1310. Duty of Secretary of State to provide notice of effect and discontinuation of National Popular Vote for President Act
Status: in_force

Upon receipt of notice that the states participating in the interstate compact to elect the President of the United States described in subchapter 1 hold a majority of the total electoral votes, the Secretary of State immediately shall inform the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of the Senate, the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Revisor of Statutes that the National Popular Vote for President Act governs the appointment of presidential electors. [PL 2023, c. 628, §9 (NEW).]

If the Secretary of State is subsequently notified or learns that the National Popular Vote for President Act does not govern the appointment of presidential electors due to the number of electoral votes held by the states participating in the interstate compact to elect the President of the United States being less than a majority of the total electoral votes, the Secretary of State shall immediately inform the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of the Senate, the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Revisor of Statutes of that fact. [PL 2023, c. 628, §9 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 739 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 739
21-A §739. Ballots and incoming voting lists available for inspection
Status: in_force

On request, a municipal clerk or the Secretary of State, or both, shall produce any ballots or incoming voting lists in their custody before the Governor, either branch of the Legislature, any legislative committee or a court of competent jurisdiction. Original ballots produced under this section must remain in the sole custody of the requester until they are returned to the municipal clerk or Secretary of State, and the requester shall maintain the ballots in a secure location. Inspection of ballots produced under this section is subject to oversight by the relevant municipal clerk, the Secretary of State or the Secretary of State's designee. If there is an unresolved disputed ballot for an election to the State House of Representatives or the State Senate arising from a recount conducted pursuant to section 737‑A , the Secretary of State shall make a copy of that ballot available for inspection by the public. A copy of a ballot that is made available for public inspection pursuant to this section must be made available in a manner that preserves the voter's anonymity. Copies of disputed ballots made available for public inspection under this section must be retained by the Secretary of State for a period of 2 years after the outcome of the election is finally determined. [PL 2021, c. 536, §4 (AMD).]

After the time for completion of recounts following any election has elapsed, and on request of any person, the clerk of any municipality or the Secretary of State, or both, shall produce any incoming voting lists in the clerk's or Secretary of State's custody. [PL 2011, c. 258, §1 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 821 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 821
21-A §821. Delivery
Status: in_force

The municipal clerk shall perform the following duties concerning the delivery of voting machines. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1. Delivery. The municipal clerk shall have the voting machines delivered to each voting place at least 12 hours before the polls are opened on election day. At the time of delivery, the ballot labels must be in place on each machine. [PL 1995, c. 459, §90 (AMD).]

2. Arrangements of machines. The clerk shall arrange each voting machine so that each ballot label, when not in use, and the exterior of the machine are completely visible to the election officials. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

3. Machines locked. After the voting machines have been placed in the proper position at the voting place, the clerk shall make certain that each machine is ready for use when the polls open and the clerk shall then lock each machine. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §64 (COR).]

4. Keys to voting machines. At least 1/2 hour before the polls are opened on election day, the clerk shall deliver the keys to each machine in a sealed envelope to the warden at the voting place. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 143-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 143-A
21-A §143-A. Enrollment on election day
Status: in_force

A voter who is not enrolled in a party may enroll at any election by personally filing the application required by section 142 with the registrar, if the registrar is located at the voting place on election day, or with the election clerk in charge of the incoming voting list, if the registrar is not located at the voting place on election day. The election clerk shall annotate the incoming voting list with the designation of the party selected by the voter and provide the voter with the correct ballots for the new party, if applicable. [PL 2019, c. 371, §8 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 121-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 121-A
21-A §121-A. Deadline for registration
Status: in_force

1. Registration deadline. The deadlines for receipt of voter registration applications are as follows: A. If submitted by mail or by a 3rd person, the close of business on the 21st day before election day; [PL 2025, c. 397, §3 (NEW).] B. If submitted online, 5 p.m. on the 21st day before election day; [PL 2025, c. 397, §3 (NEW).] C. If transmitted by the Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles pursuant to section 232 or by a source agency other than the Bureau of Motor Vehicles pursuant to section 233 , midnight on the 7th day before election day; and [PL 2025, c. 397, §3 (NEW).] D. If submitted in person, the close of the polls on election day. [PL 2025, c. 397, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 397, §3 (NEW).]

2. Closed period. The 20-day period before an election is the closed period. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the applicable registrar must receive a voter registration application before the start of the closed period in order for the applicant's name to appear on the incoming voter list for that election. A. Notwithstanding the closed period, a person may qualify to vote in an election by registering to vote in person at any time before the close of the polls on election day. [PL 2025, c. 397, §3 (NEW).] B. Notwithstanding the closed period, a person may qualify to vote in an election by registering to vote through automatic voter registration under section 232 or section 233 no later than the 7th day before election day. [PL 2025, c. 397, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 397, §3 (NEW).]

3. Notice required. An applicant who attempts to register to vote within 30 days of an election by any method other than in-person registration, online registration or automatic voter registration under section 232 or section 233 must be advised that the registrar might not receive the application before the closed period, but that the applicant may register in person any time before the close of the polls on election day. [PL 2025, c. 397, §3 (NEW).]

4. Deadlines for transferring voter registration applications. The following provisions govern deadlines for transferring voter registration applications. A. Outside agencies shall transfer voter registration applications to the Secretary of State within 5 days of receipt. [PL 2025, c. 397, §3 (NEW).] B. The Secretary of State shall transfer voter registration applications received from outside agencies to the appropriate registrar by the following deadlines: (1) If the application is received 10 days or fewer before the start of the closed period, within 5 days of receipt; (2) If the application is received more than 10 days before the start of the closed period, within 10 days of receipt; and (3) If the application is received after the start of the closed period, within 10 business days after the election. [PL 2025, c. 397, §3 (NEW).] C. The Secretary of State shall transmit voter registration applications submitted online to the appropriate registrar by the next business day following receipt. [PL 2025, c. 397, §3 (NEW).] D. The Secretary of State shall transmit voter registration applications submitted to the Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles pursuant to section 232 or by a source agency other than the Bureau of Motor Vehicles pursuant to section 233 to the appropriate registrar by the next business day following receipt. [PL 2025, c. 397, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 397, §3 (NEW).]

5. Registrar to send notice of disposition. The registrar shall send the notice of disposition required by section 122 no later than the 18th day before election day to all voters whose voter registration applications were submitted online, submitted by mail or submitted by a 3rd person as long as the registrar received the voter registration application by the 21st day before election day. [PL 2025, c. 397, §3 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 371 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 371
21-A §371. Primary election candidates; vacancy
Status: in_force

1. Primary petition if time. [PL 1999, c. 426, §14 (RP).]

2. Chosen by committee if not time. [PL 1999, c. 426, §14 (RP).]

3. Vacancy and replacement of candidates in uncontested races. If a candidate for nomination dies or becomes disqualified prior to the primary election or withdraws 70 days or more before the primary election, the Secretary of State shall declare the vacancy pursuant to section 362‑A if no other candidate from the same political party will appear on the primary election ballot for that office. A political committee may fill the vacancy pursuant to section 363 . The Secretary of State shall remove the former candidate's name from the primary election ballot and shall produce new primary election ballots or amend or supplement the primary election ballots already printed in accordance with section 376 or 604 . [PL 2019, c. 636, §6 (NEW).]

4. Removal of candidate's name from ballot in contested races. The Secretary of State shall remove the name of a candidate for nomination from the primary election ballot but is not required to declare a vacancy if, 70 days or more before the primary election, the candidate dies, becomes disqualified or withdraws and another candidate from the same political party will appear on the ballot for that office. [PL 2019, c. 636, §6 (NEW).]

5. Death or disqualification of candidates less than 70 days before primary election in contested races. The Secretary of State is not required to remove the name of a candidate from the primary election ballot or declare a vacancy if a candidate dies or becomes disqualified less than 70 days before the primary election and another candidate from the same political party will appear on the ballot for that office. Upon receipt of information that the candidate has died or become disqualified, the Secretary of State shall immediately prepare and distribute to the local election officials in the candidate's electoral district a notice informing voters that the candidate has died or become disqualified and that a vote for that candidate will not be counted. The notice must be distributed with all absentee ballots requested after the notice is received by the local election officials and, on election day, must be posted outside the guardrail enclosure in accordance with section 651, subsection 2 and in each voting booth. Notice that the candidate has died or become disqualified must also be posted on the Secretary of State's publicly accessible website. In an election determined by ranked-choice voting, a ranking for a candidate who has died or become disqualified is considered a ranking only for the purpose of determining whether the ballot is exhausted under section 723‑A . A candidate who has died or been disqualified cannot be determined the winner. For the purposes of this subsection, "ranking" has the same meaning as in section 723‑A, subsection 1, paragraph I . [PL 2025, c. 363, §2 (AMD).]

6. Withdrawal of candidates less than 70 days before primary election in contested and uncontested races. When a candidate for nomination withdraws less than 70 days before the primary election, the candidate's name may not be removed from the primary election ballot and a vacancy may not be declared. Upon receipt of the notice of withdrawal, the Secretary of State shall immediately prepare and distribute to the local election officials in the candidate's electoral district a notice informing voters that the candidate has withdrawn and that a vote for that candidate will not be counted. The notice must be distributed with all absentee ballots requested after the notice is received by the local election officials and, on election day, must be posted outside the guardrail enclosure in accordance with section 651, subsection 2 and in each voting booth. Notice of the late withdrawal must also be posted on the Secretary of State's publicly accessible website. In an election determined by ranked-choice voting, a ranking for a candidate who has withdrawn is considered a ranking only for the purpose of determining whether the ballot is exhausted under section 723‑A . A candidate who has withdrawn cannot be determined the winner. For the purposes of this subsection, "ranking" has the same meaning as in section 723‑A, subsection 1, paragraph I . [PL 2025, c. 363, §3 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 442 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 442
21-A §442. Petitions
Status: in_force

On or before October 1st of the year prior to a presidential election year, the Secretary of State shall prepare and make available petitions for circulation by a person desiring to be a candidate in the state presidential primary election of any party. Petitions must be delivered to the registrar, or clerk at the request or upon the absence of the registrar, for certification by 5 p.m. on November 20th of the year prior to a presidential election year. Petitions must be completed and filed with the Secretary of State no later than 5 p.m. on December 1st of the year prior to a presidential election year in the manner provided in sections 335 and 336 . [PL 2021, c. 273, §8 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1303 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 17 / Section 1303
21-A §1303. Right of people in member states to vote for President and Vice President - Article 2
Status: in_force

Each member state shall conduct a statewide popular election for President and Vice President of the United States. [PL 2023, c. 628, §9 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 816 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 816
21-A §816. Operating instructions
Status: in_force

The clerk must hold a meeting before an election whenever it is necessary to instruct election officials in the operation of voting machines. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1. Permission to use machines refused. The clerk may not permit a voting machine to be used at any voting place, unless the clerk is satisfied that the election officials at that voting place know how to operate the machine properly and how to instruct a voter in operating it. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §63 (COR).]
21-A M.R.S. § 903-C — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 11 / Section 903-C
21-A §903-C. Direct initiative and people's veto petition organization required to be registered
Status: in_force

A petition organization shall register with the Secretary of State in accordance with this section. For the purposes of this section, "petition organization" means a business entity that receives compensation for organizing, supervising or managing the circulation of petitions for a direct initiative of legislation or a people's veto referendum. [PL 2009, c. 611, §4 (NEW).]

1. Registration. Prior to organizing, supervising or managing the circulation of petitions for a direct initiative of legislation or a people's veto referendum, a petition organization, in addition to meeting any other requirement to transact business in this State, shall register with the Secretary of State on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State. The registration form must include the following: A. The ballot question or title of each direct initiative of legislation or people's veto referendum for which the petition organization will receive compensation; [PL 2009, c. 611, §4 (NEW).] B. Contact information for the petition organization, including the name of the petition organization, street address or post office box, telephone number and e-mail address; [PL 2015, c. 99, §2 (AMD).] C. The name and signature of a designated agent for the petition organization; and [PL 2015, c. 99, §2 (AMD).] D. A list containing the names of all individuals hired by the petition organization to assist in circulating petitions or in organizing, supervising or managing the circulation. The list must include a statement indicating the method by which the individuals hired to assist in circulating petitions are being compensated. The list must be updated and resubmitted to the Secretary of State when the petitions are filed pursuant to the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 17 or 18. [PL 2019, c. 456, §2 (AMD).] The information contained in the registration form must be made available for public inspection and must be posted on the publicly accessible website of the Secretary of State. [PL 2019, c. 456, §2 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 628 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 628
21-A §628. Care and custody of ballot box
Status: in_force

The care and custody of an official ballot box are governed by the following provisions. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1. Custody during election. The ballot box is in the custody of the warden of each voting place during an election. The warden is responsible for requiring that it is attended constantly. The warden shall return it to the clerk at the close of the election. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §52 (COR).]

2. Custody at other times. At other times, the ballot box is in the custody of the clerk. The clerk shall keep it in good repair and shall provide safe storage for it at the expense of the municipality, subject to the supervision of the Secretary of State. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §53 (COR).]

3. Defective, lost or destroyed. If a ballot box becomes defective, lost or destroyed, the clerk must notify the Secretary of State in writing and the Secretary of State shall approve a replacement at the expense of the municipality. [PL 1999, c. 426, §19 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 6 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 1 / Section 6
21-A §6. Date falling on holiday
Status: in_force

When the date on which an act must be performed or an event must take place falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the act shall be performed or the event shall take place on the next following business day. [PL 1989, c. 166, §1 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 33 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 1 / Section 33
21-A §33. Prosecution of violations
Status: in_force

The Attorney General shall designate a Deputy Attorney General or an Assistant Attorney General to investigate and prosecute alleged violations of the election laws. This section does not preclude a district attorney from investigating and prosecuting election law violations. [PL 1993, c. 473, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF).]
21-A M.R.S. § 622-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 622-A
21-A §622-A. Notice of election
Status: in_force

The notice of election must contain the following items: a heading that states "Notice of Election" in bold type, the day, date and title of the election, the voting district designation, if any, the name and location of the voting place, the opening and closing times of the polls and a list of the offices and referendum questions for that election. The clerk may add times for processing absentee ballots pursuant to section 759, subsection 7 . [PL 1997, c. 436, §85 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 234 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 234
21-A §234. Voluntary opt-out from voter list
Status: in_force

1. Opportunity to opt out. Any document or application used by a source agency in the normal course of business of that agency to collect proof of voter eligibility data must contain notice that, unless the applicant declines, the information provided by the applicant could be used to register the applicant to vote and that some of the applicant's information would be sent to a central voter database where it would be accessible to entities other than the State or the source agency. [PL 2019, c. 409, §6 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).]

2. Opportunity to opt out prior to voter registration transaction. The Secretary of State shall ensure that, prior to the creation of a pending voter registration record by a source agency, an individual is given the opportunity to opt out of any voter registration transaction. If an individual opts out of voter registration, information about that individual may not be transmitted from the source agency that obtained the information to a registrar of voters. [PL 2019, c. 409, §6 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).]
21-A M.R.S. § 312 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 312
21-A §312. Municipal caucus list
Status: in_force

The chair or secretary of the municipal committee or the person or persons calling a biennial municipal caucus, including any resident voter pursuant to section 311, subsection 5 , may request a list of registered voters pursuant to section 196‑A, subsection 1 for use by the municipal committee once each biennial election cycle beginning January 1st in an election year. [PL 2009, c. 564, §9 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1017-B — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1017-B
21-A §1017-B. Records
Status: in_force

Any party committee that makes expenditures that aggregate in excess of $50 to any one or more candidates, committees or campaigns in this State shall keep records as provided in this section. Records required to be kept under this section must be retained by the party committee until 10 days after the next election following the election to which the records pertain. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §18 (NEW).]

1. Details of records. The treasurer of a party committee shall record a detailed account of: A. All expenditures made to or on behalf of a candidate, campaign or committee; [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §18 (NEW).] B. The identity and address of each candidate, campaign or committee; [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §18 (NEW).] C. The office sought by a candidate and the district the candidate seeks to represent, for candidates that a party committee has made an expenditure to or on behalf of; and [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §18 (NEW).] D. The date of each expenditure. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §18 (NEW).] [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §18 (NEW).]

2. Receipts. The treasurer of a party committee shall retain a vendor invoice or receipt stating the particular goods or services purchased for every expenditure in excess of $50. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §18 (NEW).]

3. Record of contributions. The treasurer of a party committee shall keep a record of all contributions to the committee, by name and mailing address, of each donor and the amount and date of the contribution. This subsection does not apply to aggregate contributions from a single donor of $50 or less in an election. When any donor's contributions to a party committee exceed $50, the record must include the aggregate amount of all contributions from that donor. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §18 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 725 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 725
21-A §725. Commencement of term of office
Status: in_force

County officials elected at the general election take office on January 1st directly following election day. The terms of other officials commence on the day provided in the Constitution of the State of Maine or the Constitution of the United States. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1208 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 15 / Section 1208
21-A §1208. Incarcerated persons
Status: in_force

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Correctional facility" has the same meaning as in Title 34‑A, section 1001, subsection 6 . [PL 2023, c. 373, §1 (NEW).] B. "Residence" has the same meaning as described in section 112, subsection 1 . [PL 2023, c. 373, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2023, c. 373, §1 (NEW).]

2. Counting incarcerated persons for apportionment. A person whose usual residence is determined by the Federal Decennial Census to be a correctional facility in this State must be counted for apportionment under this chapter as follows. A. If the records of the Department of Corrections show the person has a residence address in this State immediately prior to incarceration, that address must be considered that person's residence for purposes of apportionment under this chapter. [PL 2023, c. 373, §1 (NEW).] B. If the records of the Department of Corrections do not show the person's residence address immediately prior to incarceration, or show a residence address immediately prior to incarceration that is not within this State, that person may not be counted for apportionment under this chapter. [PL 2023, c. 373, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2023, c. 373, §1 (NEW).]

3. Department of Corrections to provide data. Notwithstanding any provision of law respecting confidentiality to the contrary, the Department of Corrections shall provide to the Legislative Apportionment Commission, to the extent the department possesses or has access to the data, the preincarceration residence address and other demographic data of persons who are incarcerated in a correctional facility as of 12:01 a.m. on the date of the most recent Federal Decennial Census. This demographic data must include but is not limited to the last known complete preincarceration street address of the person, the person's race, age and gender and whether the person is a veteran. The department shall provide this data within 30 days of the first meeting of the commission. The data provided by the department is not a public record and the commission shall institute measures to safeguard its confidentiality and to ensure its safekeeping upon conclusion of the commission's work. [PL 2023, c. 373, §1 (NEW).]

4. Construction. This section may not be construed to affect the population count in any geographical area for any purposes other than apportionment. [PL 2023, c. 373, §1 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 905-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 11 / Section 905-A
21-A §905-A. Public comment on initiative questions
Status: in_force

No later than 15 business days after the Secretary of State issues a written decision under section 905, subsection 1 finding a petition for a direct initiative to be valid, the Secretary of State shall give public notice of a proposed ballot question for that initiative by posting the question on the Secretary of State's publicly accessible website. The Secretary of State may also publish notice for one day in newspapers having general circulation in the State. After giving public notice of the proposed ballot question in accordance with this section, the Secretary of State shall provide a 30-day public comment period for the purpose of receiving comments on the content and form of the proposed question. No later than 15 business days after receiving public comments in accordance with this section and after review of those comments, the Secretary of State shall write the ballot question for the initiative. An aggrieved voter may appeal the final decision of the Secretary of State under this section using the procedures for court review provided for in section 905, subsections 2 and 3 . [PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §36 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 762 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 762
21-A §762. Irregularities disregarded
Status: in_force

An absentee ballot may not be rejected for any immaterial irregularity in completing the application or affidavit on the return envelope. The following information must be on the envelope for the ballot to be accepted: [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1. Name and address. The voter's name and residence address typed or written in ink by the clerk in the designated section of the return envelope; [PL 2007, c. 455, §47 (AMD).]

2. Signature. The voter's signature; and [PL 1991, c. 466, §33 (AMD).]

3. Reason. [PL 1991, c. 466, §34 (RP).]

4. Witness signatures. The witness or other certifying official's signature, when required. [PL 1995, c. 459, §83 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 113 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 113
21-A §113. Right survives change of residence
Status: in_force

A registered voter who moves to another state within 60 days before a presidential election may not be removed from the incoming voting list and the voter's registration may not be cancelled in the central voter registration system until after the election unless the registrar has received confirmation of the voter's registration in another state. The voter may vote at that presidential election in person or by absentee ballot. [PL 2009, c. 253, §12 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 693 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 693
21-A §693. Spoiled ballots
Status: in_force

If a voter spoils a ballot, the voter may obtain a replacement, not more than twice, by returning the spoiled ballot to the election clerk in charge of issuing ballots. The warden, ward clerk or deputy warden shall write "Spoiled by voter" on the spoiled ballot and sign it. If a replacement ballot is issued to the voter, the warden, ward clerk or deputy warden shall also mark "Replacement ballot issued" on the spoiled ballot. The election official shall then segregate the spoiled ballot with any other spoiled ballots in an envelope labeled "Spoiled ballots" and shall package and return the envelope of segregated ballots in accordance with section 698 . The Secretary of State shall provide the clerk of each municipality with either a label and instructions on proper handling of spoiled ballots or a special envelope printed with this label and instructions. [PL 2003, c. 298, §1 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1057 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1057
21-A §1057.  Required records for committees
Status: in_force

Any committee that is required to register under section 1052‑A or 1053‑B shall keep records as provided in this section for 4 years following the election to which the records pertain. [PL 2021, c. 217, §9 (AMD).]

1. Details of records. The treasurer of a committee shall record a detailed account of: A. All expenditures made to or in behalf of a candidate, campaign or committee; [PL 2021, c. 217, §9 (AMD).] B. The identity of each candidate, campaign or committee; [PL 2021, c. 217, §9 (AMD).] C. The office sought by a candidate and the district the candidate seeks to represent, for candidates that a committee has made an expenditure to or in behalf of; and [PL 2021, c. 217, §9 (AMD).] D. The date of each expenditure. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 217, §9 (AMD).]

2. Receipts. The treasurer of a committee shall retain a vendor invoice or receipt stating the particular goods or services purchased for every expenditure in excess of $50 to initiate or influence a campaign. [PL 2021, c. 217, §9 (AMD).]

3. Record of contributions. The treasurer of a committee shall keep a record of all contributions to the committee, by name and mailing address, of each donor and the amount and date of the contribution. This provision does not apply to aggregate contributions from a single donor of $50 or less. When any donor's contributions to a committee exceed $50, the record must include the aggregate amount of all contributions from that donor. [PL 2021, c. 217, §9 (AMD).]

4. Account statements. The treasurer of a committee shall keep account statements for the campaign account required by section 1054 . [PL 2025, c. 224, §24 (AMD).]

5. Simplified record-keeping requirements. The commission may adopt by rule simplified record-keeping requirements for an individual registering as a ballot question committee to initiate or influence a ballot question. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined by Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2021, c. 217, §9 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 724-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 724-A
21-A §724-A. Written notice to Legislature
Status: in_force

At the time the Governor publicly proclaims the result of the vote on any measure referred to the people for approval under the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 17 or 18, the Governor shall also provide written notice of the result of that vote to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House and the Revisor of Statutes. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §57 (COR).]
21-A M.R.S. § 154 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 154
21-A §154. Registration and enrollment for citizens outside the United States
Status: in_force

1. Application. A person qualified to register under section 111, subsections 1 and 2 and who resides outside the United States and does not maintain a fixed and principal home or other address in the State may register at the last residence address immediately before leaving the United States and enroll by filing a federal postcard application or an application designed by the Secretary of State. If a citizen of the United States who resides outside the United States and has never lived in the United States has a parent who is a qualified elector, that person is eligible to register and vote where that parent is a qualified elector. The state application must include, but is not limited to: A. First name, middle name or initial and last name, first name or initial, middle name and last name or first name and last name; [PL 2007, c. 455, §8 (AMD).] B. Last residence address immediately before departing from the United States, including street, street number, apartment number, town and zip code; [PL 1995, c. 459, §17 (AMD).] C. Mailing address; [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] D. Date of birth; [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] E. [PL 1995, c. 459, §17 (RP).] F. [PL 1995, c. 459, §17 (RP).] G. [PL 1993, c. 695, §13 (RP).] H. Notification that failure to complete the entire application may prevent registration; [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] I. [PL 1997, c. 436, §36 (RP).] J. Signature of applicant; [PL 1997, c. 436, §36 (AMD).] K. [PL 2003, c. 407, §10 (RP).] L. Date of application; [PL 2003, c. 407, §10 (AMD).] M. [PL 1997, c. 436, §36 (RP).] N. Choice of political party if the registrant wishes to enroll in a political party or an indication that the applicant chose not to enroll in a party; [PL 2003, c. 407, §10 (AMD).] O. A place for the person's current, valid Maine driver's license number, if applicable; or, if the applicant has no driver's license number, the last 4 digits of the person's social security number, if applicable; or, if the applicant has neither number, a place to put "none" or "not applicable"; and [PL 2003, c. 407, §10 (NEW).] P. 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. [PL 2003, c. 407, §10 (NEW).] [PL 2009, c. 253, §13 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 364 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 364
21-A §364. Candidacy by nomination petition
Status: in_force

The nomination of a candidate, other than by party, to fill a vacancy must be made by nomination petition. The nomination process is in the same manner as provided by subchapter II , except that all petitions must be filed by 5 p.m. on the deadline for filling the vacancy set by the Secretary of State pursuant to section 362‑A . [PL 2001, c. 310, §21 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 101 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 101
21-A §101. Registrar
Status: in_force

1. Qualifications. The registrar must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of the State and at least 18 years of age. The registrar may not be an employee of a party or candidate or be an officer of a municipal, county or state party committee. In the electoral division in which the registrar is appointed, the registrar may not: A. Hold or be a candidate for any federal, state or county office; [PL 2015, c. 447, §1 (AMD).] B. Be a treasurer for a candidate; or [PL 2009, c. 538, §4 (NEW).] C. Be a municipal officer as defined by Title 30‑A, section 2001 . [PL 2009, c. 538, §4 (NEW).] [PL 2015, c. 447, §1 (AMD).]

2. Appointment. The municipal officers of each municipality shall appoint in writing a qualified registrar of voters by January 1st of each odd-numbered year. The registrar shall serve for 2 years and until a successor is appointed and sworn. The municipal clerk may be appointed to serve as registrar, but the term of the clerk has no effect on the term of the registrar. If the clerk is not appointed to serve as registrar, the clerk must be appointed by the registrar to serve as a deputy registrar and has the same authority as the registrar to make determinations of voter eligibility and to perform the duties of voter registration as provided in this Title. [PL 2005, c. 568, §3 (AMD).]

3. Oath required. Before assuming the duties of office, the registrar must be sworn and the oath recorded as provided in Title 30‑A, section 2526, subsection 9 . [PL 1997, c. 436, §16 (AMD).]

4. Secretary of State notified. The clerk shall notify the Secretary of State of the name of the registrar within 10 days after the registrar is appointed and sworn by revising the election official's information listing within the central voter registration system. [PL 2005, c. 453, §8 (AMD).]

5. Compensation. The municipal officers shall determine the compensation of the registrar. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

6. Office hours. The municipal officers shall establish reasonable office hours for the registrar consistent with the requirements of the municipality. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

7. Office space, expenses and clerical help. Each municipality shall provide a suitable place in which the registrar may perform the registrar's duties, and shall pay reasonable expenses for necessary office supplies purchased and clerical help engaged by the registrar. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §33 (COR).]

8. Vacancy. When there is a vacancy in the office of registrar, the municipal officers shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term of office. If the municipal officers fail to appoint a registrar to fill the vacancy within 15 days after the municipal officers receive notification of the vacancy, the municipal clerk shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term of office. [PL 1997, c. 436, §18 (AMD).]

9. Training. The registrar shall attend a training session that is approved by the Secretary of State at least once every 2 years in regard to the conduct of voter registration. 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. [PL 2021, c. 568, §3 (AMD).]

10. Ineligible to serve. When a registrar or a member of the registrar's immediate family becomes a candidate for federal, state, local or county office in the electoral division in which the registrar is appointed, the registrar may not serve as registrar during the period beginning when the candidate files a petition to be a candidate or is nominated to be a replacement candidate until the time of election. The registrar shall instead appoint a deputy who must be compensated by the municipality for the duration of the deputy's temporary employment in that capacity. [PL 2015, c. 447, §2 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 114 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 114
21-A §114. Division of municipality, effect
Status: in_force

When any territory is set off from one municipality and annexed to another, the act establishing the new boundaries must indicate where and for which offices the voters in the territory may vote. If this provision is omitted from the act, the voters may vote for all offices in the municipality to which the territory is annexed. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 237 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 237
21-A §237. Secretary of State duties
Status: in_force

1. Audit of data. The Secretary of State shall audit the central voter registration system for quality of data prior to implementation of the automatic voter registration system pursuant to this subchapter and shall periodically thereafter conduct regular audits and random checks to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data. [PL 2019, c. 409, §6 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).]

2. Rulemaking. The Secretary of State may adopt rules to implement this subchapter. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2019, c. 409, §6 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).]
21-A M.R.S. § 374-B — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 374-B
21-A §374-B. Special election candidates
Status: in_force

If a candidate for an office on a special election ballot dies or withdraws for any reason, the candidate's name will not be removed from the ballot. The Secretary of State shall immediately prepare and distribute to the local election officials in the candidate's electoral district a notice informing voters that the candidate has died or has withdrawn and that a vote for that candidate will not be counted. The notice must be distributed with all absentee ballots requested after the notice is received by the local election officials and, on election day, must be posted outside the guardrail enclosure in accordance with section 651, subsection 2 and in each voting booth. Notice that the candidate has died or has withdrawn must also be posted on the Secretary of State's publicly accessible website. [PL 2019, c. 636, §10 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 695 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 695
21-A §695. Counting of ballots
Status: in_force

Except for elections determined by ranked-choice voting, the following provisions apply to the counting of ballots. The election clerks shall count the ballots under the supervision of the warden as soon as the polls are closed, except that if, in the opinion of the municipal clerk the public interests will best be served, referendum ballots may be counted on the day immediately following the election, as long as the count is completed within 24 hours after the polls are closed. If referendum ballots are counted under this exception, the municipal clerk is responsible for the security and safekeeping of the ballots until the count has been completed. [PL 2017, c. 316, §4 (AMD).]

1. Counted in public. The ballots must be counted publicly so that those present may observe the proceedings. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

2. Separated into lots. In counting the ballots, the election clerks shall form into counting teams of 2 election clerks, each of whom has a different party affiliation. The counting teams shall separate the ballots into distinct lots. Each of these lots must consist of 50 ballots, except for one lot, which may have less than 50 ballots. Each counting team shall use one of the approved counting methods prescribed by the Secretary of State to produce 2 tally sheets for each lot that are in complete agreement as to the count for each candidate and question choice. They shall place with each lot one of the tally sheets for that lot that is signed by the election clerks who made the count. They shall wrap the tally sheet around the outside of the applicable lot of ballots. The 2nd tally sheet for each lot must be provided to the warden for use in completing a total tally of each office and question and for completing the election return. [PL 2009, c. 253, §31 (AMD).]

3. Results declared. As soon as the ballots are counted, the warden shall declare the results publicly at the voting place. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

4. Instructions. The Secretary of State may issue to each warden instructions on opening the ballot boxes, separating various types of ballots and giving priority in counting various types of ballots. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

5. Uniformity. The Secretary of State shall design and print uniform tabulation sheets to be used by the workers at the polls. The Secretary of State shall write, print and distribute to wardens instructions on the use of that material and require the use of a uniform system of counting and tabulation. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

6. Stickers. [PL 2013, c. 131, §19 (RP).]
21-A M.R.S. § 752 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 752
21-A §752. Materials furnished
Status: in_force

At least 3 months before any election, the Secretary of State shall furnish each municipality with a reasonable number of dated absentee ballot applications. A reasonable time, not less than 30 days unless an emergency exists, before any election, the Secretary of State shall furnish each municipality with a reasonable number of absentee ballots and return envelopes. [PL 1985, c. 357, §8 (AMD).]

1. Absentee ballots to be identical. Absentee ballots must be identical to the regular ballots used at an election, except as provided in paragraph A for uniformed service voters or overseas voters. A. At least 3 months before the election to which they pertain, the Secretary of State shall furnish each municipality with a reasonable number of blank write-in absentee ballots for use by uniformed service voters or overseas voters who have met the qualifications in section 751 . These ballots must be similar to regular ballots, except that no candidate names may be printed. The Secretary of State shall prepare a ballot listing all offices to be selected with a space after each office to write in the voter's preference. The Secretary of State shall design the form of the ballot, including any instructions to the voters in marking the ballot. [PL 2003, c. 407, §20 (AMD).] B. The Secretary of State shall provide a reasonable number of absentee ballots for township residents who are registered or enrolled in a municipality outside their electoral divisions under section 156 . These ballots must contain the names of the nominees or candidates for offices in the electoral divisions in which the voters reside. [PL 1991, c. 466, §26 (AMD).] [PL 2003, c. 407, §20 (AMD).]

2. Content of application. The Secretary of State shall design or approve the form of the application to be used to request an absentee ballot. [PL 2001, c. 310, §50 (RPR).]

3. Form of return envelope. The Secretary of State shall design or approve the form of the absentee ballot return envelope. The Secretary of State may not design or approve a return envelope for use in a general election that includes any mark visible on the outside of the return envelope or a space designated for making a mark visible on the outside of the return envelope that indicates the political party of the voter to whom the absentee ballot is issued. [PL 2021, c. 398, Pt. UUUU, §2 (AMD); PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §37 (AFF).]

4. Delivery of materials; insufficient quantity. The Secretary of State shall send the voting materials to the clerk of each municipality. If the clerk believes that a larger number should be furnished, the clerk must notify the Secretary of State who shall determine whether the additional materials are needed and, if so, shall furnish them as promptly as possible. [PL 2003, c. 407, §21 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 5 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 1 / Section 5
21-A §5. Application to plantations
Status: in_force

The provisions of this Title pertaining to towns apply equally to plantations. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 902 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 11 / Section 902
21-A §902. Verification and certification
Status: in_force

The verification and certification of the petition as required by the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 20 must be worded so that a single verification or certification may cover one or more pages fastened together as a single petition. [PL 2017, c. 277, §4 (AMD).]

The petitions must be signed in the same manner as are nonparty nomination petitions under section 354, subsections 3 and 4 . The circulator of a petition must sign the petition and verify by oath or affirmation before a notary public or other person authorized by law to administer oaths or affirmations that the circulator personally witnessed all of the signatures to the petition and that to the best of the circulator's knowledge and belief each signature is the signature of the person whose name it purports to be and that each signature authorized under section 153‑A was made by the authorized signer in the presence and at the direction of the voter. After administering the oath to the circulator, the notary public or other authorized person must sign the notarial certificate on the petition while in the presence of the circulator. After the petition is signed and verified in this manner, the petition must be submitted to the registrar for certification in accordance with the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 20. If the petitions submitted to the registrar are not signed and verified in accordance with this paragraph, the registrar may not certify the petitions and is required only to return the petitions. The clerk or registrar shall keep a log of petitions submitted to the municipal office for verification. The log must contain the title of the petition, the name of the person submitting the petition, the date of submission, the number of petition forms submitted and the date and manner by which the petitions were returned. The notary public or other authorized person who administered the oath to the circulator must keep a log of petitions for which that person administered the circulator's oath, listing the title of the petition, the name of the circulator taking the oath, the date of the oath and the number of petition forms signed and verified by the circulator that day. [PL 2017, c. 277, §4 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 21 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 1 / Section 21
21-A §21. Form and content of documents
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State may establish the form and content of all forms, lists, documents and records required by or necessary to the efficient operation of this Title. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 501 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 7 / Section 501
21-A §501. Wardens and ward clerks
Status: in_force

1. In a city. In a city, the selection, term of office, compensation and partial duties of wardens and ward clerks are determined by the city charter. Additional duties are prescribed by this Title. [PL 1987, c. 188, §4 (AMD).]

2. In a town. In a town, with the approval of the municipal officers, the clerk of the municipality shall appoint a warden and may appoint one or more deputy wardens to assist in the duties on election day. If the clerk appoints another person as warden, the clerk may serve as deputy warden. It does not constitute an incompatibility of office for the clerk to serve as warden or deputy warden. The warden and deputy warden are entitled to a reasonable compensation as determined by the municipal officers. [PL 1995, c. 459, §32 (AMD).]

3. Provisions applicable to both towns and cities. A warden, ward clerk or any deputy warden may not be an officer of a municipal committee of a political party. Ward clerks or deputy wardens shall perform the duties of the warden when necessary and may not replace election clerks prescribed by this Title. The warden, ward clerk and deputy wardens must be registered voters of the municipality, except when a nonresident clerk is acting as either warden, ward clerk or deputy warden. When there is a vacancy in the office of warden, ward clerk or deputy warden, a person who is a resident of the county may serve as a replacement on a per election basis until the end of the vacated term. Before assuming the duties of office, the warden is sworn by the municipal clerk, and the ward clerk or deputy warden is sworn by the municipal clerk or by the warden. [PL 2009, c. 538, §6 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1015-B — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1015-B
21-A §1015-B. Donations to an individual considering whether to become a candidate
Status: in_force

If an individual receives funds, goods or services for the purpose of deciding whether to become a candidate, the funds, goods or services may not exceed the limitations in section 1015, subsections 1 and 2‑B . The individual shall keep an account of such funds, goods or services received and all payments and obligations incurred in deciding whether to become a candidate. If the individual becomes a candidate, the funds, goods and services received are contributions and the payments and obligations are expenditures. The candidate shall disclose the contributions and expenditures in the first report filed by the candidate or the candidate's authorized campaign committee, in accordance with the commission's procedures. [PL 2023, c. 244, §10 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1016 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1016
21-A §1016. Records
Status: in_force

The candidate or treasurer shall keep detailed records of all contributions received and of each expenditure that the treasurer or candidate makes or authorizes, as provided in this section. The treasurer shall certify the completeness and accuracy of the information in any report of contributions and expenditures filed with the commission as required by section 1017 . [PL 2013, c. 334, §8 (AMD).]

1. Segregated funds. All funds of a political committee and campaign funds of a candidate must be segregated from, and may not be commingled with, any personal funds of the candidate, treasurer or other officers, members or associates of the committee. Personal funds of the candidate used to support the candidacy must be recorded and reported to the treasurer as contributions to the political committee, or the candidate if the candidate has not authorized a political committee. [PL 1991, c. 839, §13 (AMD); PL 1991, c. 839, §34 (AFF).]

2. Report of contributions and expenditures. A person who receives a contribution or makes an expenditure for a candidate or political committee shall report the contribution or expenditure to the candidate or treasurer within 5 days of the receipt of the contribution or the making of the expenditure. A person who receives a contribution in excess of $10 for a candidate or a political committee shall report to the candidate or treasurer the amount of the contribution, the name and address of the person making the contribution and the date on which the contribution was received. [PL 2013, c. 334, §8 (AMD).]

3. Record keeping. The candidate or treasurer shall keep a detailed and exact account of: A. All contributions made to or for the candidate or committee, including any contributions by the candidate; [PL 1989, c. 504, §§10, 31 (AMD).] B. The name and address of every person making a contribution in excess of $10, the date and amount of that contribution and, if a person's contributions in any report filing period aggregate more than $50, the account must include the contributor's occupation and principal place of business, if any. If the contributor is the candidate or a member of the candidate's immediate family, the account must also state the relationship. For purposes of this paragraph, "filing period" is as provided in section 1017, subsections 2 and 3‑A ; [PL 1991, c. 839, §13 (AMD).] C. All expenditures made by or on behalf of the committee or candidate; and [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] D. The name and address of every person to whom any expenditure is made and the date and amount of the expenditure. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] [PL 2013, c. 334, §8 (AMD).]

4. Receipts preservation. The candidate or treasurer shall obtain and keep a receipted bill, stating the particulars, for every expenditure in excess of $50 made by or on behalf of a political committee or a candidate and for any such expenditure in a lesser amount if the aggregate amount of those expenditures to the same person in any election exceeds $50. The candidate or treasurer shall preserve all receipted bills and accounts required to be kept by this section for 2 years following the final report required to be filed for the election to which they pertain, unless otherwise ordered by the commission or a court. [PL 2013, c. 334, §8 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1004-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1004-A
21-A §1004-A. Penalties
Status: in_force

The commission may assess the following penalties in addition to the other monetary sanctions authorized in this chapter. [PL 2003, c. 628, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

1. Late campaign finance report. A person that files a late campaign finance report containing no contributions or expenditures may be assessed a penalty of no more than $100. [PL 2003, c. 628, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

2. Contribution in excess of limitations. A person that accepts or makes a contribution that exceeds the limitations set out in section 1015, subsections 1 and 2‑B may be assessed a penalty of no more than the amount by which the contribution exceeded the limitation. [PL 2023, c. 244, §1 (AMD).]

3. Contribution in name of another person. A person that makes a contribution in the name of another person, that knowingly permits that person's name to be used to effect such a contribution or that knowingly accepts a contribution made by one person in the name of another person may be assessed a penalty not to exceed 500% of the amount of the contribution. [PL 2025, c. 224, §3 (AMD).]

4. Substantial misreporting. A person that files a campaign finance report that substantially misreports contributions, expenditures or other campaign activity may be assessed a penalty not to exceed $5,000. [PL 2003, c. 628, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

5. Material false statements. A person that makes a material false statement or that makes a statement that includes a material misrepresentation in a document that is required to be submitted to the commission, or that is submitted in response to a request by the commission, may be assessed a penalty not to exceed $5,000. [PL 2005, c. 301, §6 (AMD).]

When the commission has reason to believe that a violation has occurred, the commission shall provide written notice to the candidate, party committee, political action committee, committee treasurer or other respondent and shall afford them an opportunity to appear before the commission before assessing any penalty. In determining any penalty under subsections 3 , 4 and 5 , the commission shall consider, among other things, the level of intent to mislead, the penalty necessary to deter similar misconduct in the future and the harm suffered by the public from the incorrect disclosure. A final determination by the commission 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 2009, c. 302, §1 (AMD).]

Penalties assessed pursuant to this section that have not been paid in full within 30 days after issuance of a notice of the final determination may be enforced in accordance with section 1004‑B . [PL 2009, c. 302, §2 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 339 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 339
21-A §339. Time and nature of election
Status: in_force

The primary election shall be held on the 2nd Tuesday of June of each general election year and is considered to be a separate election for each party which takes part in it. This includes the duties of public officials in announcing the election, providing forms and ballots, keeping records and any other matter necessary to effect the purpose of a primary election. A primary election shall be conducted the same as the general election, as nearly as practicable, for each party. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 391 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 391
21-A §391. United States Senators
Status: in_force

A vacancy in the office of United States Senator is governed by the following provisions. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1. Interim appointment. Within a reasonable time after the vacancy occurs, the Governor shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy until that person's successor is elected and qualified. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §50 (COR).]

2. Vacancy 60 days before primary. If the vacancy occurs 60 days or more before a regular primary election, nominees must be chosen at the primary and a successor elected for the remainder of the term at the general election. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

3. Vacancy less than 60 days before primary. If the vacancy occurs less than 60 days before a regular primary election, nominees must be chosen at the next regular primary following the one in question, and a successor elected for the remainder of the term at the general election. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1127 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 14 / Section 1127
21-A §1127. Violations
Status: in_force

1. Civil fine. In addition to any other penalties that may be applicable, a person who violates any provision of this chapter or rules of the commission adopted pursuant to section 1126 is subject to a fine not to exceed $10,000 per violation payable to the fund. In addition to any fine, for good cause shown, a candidate, treasurer, consultant or other agent of the candidate or the political committee authorized by the candidate pursuant to section 1013‑A, subsection 1 found in violation of this chapter or rules of the commission may be required to return to the fund all amounts distributed to the candidate from the fund or any funds not used for campaign-related purposes. If the commission makes a determination that a violation of this chapter or rules of the commission has occurred, the commission shall assess a fine or transmit the finding to the Attorney General for prosecution. A final determination by the commission may be appealed to Superior Court in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 7 and the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 80C. Fines assessed or orders for return of funds issued by the commission pursuant to this subsection that are not paid in full within 30 days after issuance of a notice of the final determination may be enforced in accordance with section 1004‑B . Fines paid under this section must be deposited in the fund. In determining whether or not a candidate is in violation of the expenditure limits of this chapter, the commission may consider as a mitigating factor any circumstances out of the candidate's control. [PL 2011, c. 558, §10 (AMD).]

2. Class E crime. A person who willfully or knowingly violates this chapter or rules of the commission or who willfully or knowingly makes a false statement in any report required by this chapter commits a Class E crime and, if certified as a Maine Clean Election Act candidate, must return to the fund all amounts distributed to the candidate. [IB 1995, c. 1, §17 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1103 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1103
21-A §1103. Acceptance of completed forms
Status: in_force

The commission shall accept, at all times prior to the election, completed code forms that are properly subscribed to by a candidate. [PL 1989, c. 802, §1 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 700 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 700
21-A §700. Posting unofficial results
Status: in_force

As soon as practicable after the election return is prepared under section 711 , if a secure place is available at the voting place or municipal office where the public may view a paper copy of the unofficial election results even when the voting place or municipal office is closed, an election official shall post a paper copy of the unofficial results of the election. For elections determined by ranked‑choice voting, an election official shall post a paper copy of the results of the first choice votes cast. [PL 2019, c. 320, §6 (AMD).]