21-A M.R.S. § 857 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 857
21-A §857. Manual counting authorized
Status: in_force

If for any reason it becomes impracticable to count all or a part of the ballots with electronic tabulating equipment, the clerk shall have them counted manually following the provisions governing the counting of paper ballots. [PL 1995, c. 459, §109 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 681 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 681
21-A §681. Positions at voting place
Status: in_force

The guardrail area is governed by the following provisions. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1. Within the guardrail enclosure. The clerk, election officials and not more than 2 voters in excess of the number of voting booths may be within the guardrail enclosure. The warden may permit peace officers to be within the enclosure to enforce the law. All other persons must remain outside of the enclosure. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

2. Limited time within guardrail enclosure. After entering the guardrail enclosure, the voter shall proceed to vote as soon as a voting booth is available and may not linger within the voting booth or guardrail enclosure once the voter has completed voting and deposited all ballots into the ballot box. [PL 2001, c. 310, §36 (RPR).]

3. Voting booth. Except as provided in paragraphs A and B , no one may enter a voting booth with a voter. A. If the voter requests assistance under section 672 , an election official designated by the warden or an aide requested by the voter may enter the voting booth with the voter. [PL 2007, c. 455, §34 (AMD).] B. If a voter is accompanied by a person of 17 years of age or younger, the person may enter the voting booth with the voter. [PL 1999, c. 426, §21 (AMD).] [PL 2007, c. 455, §34 (AMD).]

4. Outside guardrail enclosure. If sufficient space exists, party workers and others, in addition to the pollwatchers allowed pursuant to section 627 , may remain in the voting place outside the guardrail enclosure as long as they do not attempt to influence voters or interfere with their free passage. [PL 2025, c. 397, §41 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 759 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 759
21-A §759. Counting procedure
Status: in_force

The following counting procedure must be observed at each voting place. [PL 1995, c. 459, §75 (AMD).]

1. Warden to review notes of clerk. Unless a request to inspect applications and envelopes is made pursuant to subsection 8 , the warden shall review the notes of the clerk on each return envelope according to the schedule posted under subsection 7 . [PL 1995, c. 459, §76 (AMD).]

2. Accepted if correct. If the warden finds that the affidavit and the aide and witness certification, if required, are properly completed, that the clerk has verified that the signature on the envelope matches the signature on the application or that the voter confirmed that the voter personally signed the return envelope pursuant to section 756‑A, subsection 2 when applicable, that the voter is registered and enrolled when necessary, the warden shall then examine the incoming voting list to determine whether the voter voted in person at the election. The warden shall then announce the name of each absentee voter who has not voted at the election and remove each ballot from its envelope without destroying the envelope or unfolding the ballot. After having an election clerk from a political party different from that of the warden mark the letters "AV" beside the name of each absentee voter on the incoming voting lists and place a check mark or horizontal line in red ink on the list beside the voter's name, the warden shall accept the ballot. [PL 2021, c. 273, §24 (AMD).]

3. Rejected if incorrect. The warden may not open the envelope and shall write "Rejected" on it, the reason why and the warden's initials if the warden finds that: A. [PL 2021, c. 273, §25 (RP).] A-1. The clerk's notes on the envelope indicate that the ballot was rejected; [PL 2021, c. 273, §26 (NEW).] B. [PL 2021, c. 273, §27 (RP).] C. The person is not registered or enrolled where necessary; [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] D. The voter has voted in person; or [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] E. The ballot was received by the clerk after the deadline. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 273, §§25-27 (AMD).]

4. Warden to check absentee ballot for correct party or district. At a primary election when the warden removes a ballot from its envelope, the warden shall check its color to be sure it is the ballot of the party in which the voter is enrolled. If it is not, the warden shall immediately replace it in its envelope, reseal the envelope and write "Rejected" on it, the reason why and the warden's initials. At a primary or general election, in a municipality that has more than one voting district, when the warden removes a ballot from its envelope, the warden shall check its color to be sure it is the ballot of the district in which the voter is registered. If it is not, the warden shall challenge the ballot according to section 673 . [PL 2007, c. 455, §43 (AMD).]

5. Rejected ballots separate. The warden shall place the return envelopes containing rejected ballots in an envelope marked "Rejected ballots." Rejected ballots may not be counted. [PL 1995, c. 459, §78 (AMD).]

6. Counting and results prohibited before the polls close. The absentee ballots may not be counted, voter intent may not be determined and election results may not be obtained or released until after the polls have closed on election day and all election day ballots have been cast and all absentee ballots have been processed. A municipality that uses a high-speed ballot tabulator and receives results at the completion of the ballot scanning may not view the results until after the polls close on election day. [PL 2021, c. 246, §6 (RPR).]

7. Processing before close of polls. A notice signed by the municipal clerk must be posted at least 7 days before election day in the same manner as posting the notice of election, under section 621‑A , stating each specific time that the clerk intends to begin processing absentee ballots on election day. The warden shall follow the procedures required by subsections 1 to 6 to process absentee ballots before the close of the polls. The clerk shall notify the chairs of each political party of the municipality, in writing, that this procedure is to occur. This notice must be considered sufficient as long as it is mailed to the last address of each municipal chair that is known to the clerk. [PL 1997, c. 436, §113 (AMD).]

8. Inspection of absentee envelopes before processing. If a member of the public notifies the clerk before 5 p.m. on the day before election day that the person wishes to inspect absentee ballot applications and envelopes before they are processed, the warden or clerk shall allow the requestor to inspect the applications and envelopes of ballots before they are processed or for 30 minutes after the time specified in the notice for processing on election day. The warden may immediately proceed to process the ballots after the person has completed the review. If the municipality processes absentee ballots only after the polls close on election day, then a member of the public who wishes to inspect absentee materials must notify the warden by 5 p.m. on election day that the person wishes to inspect absentee ballot applications and envelopes after the polls close. The warden shall allow the requestor to inspect the applications and envelopes for 30 minutes after the polls close. The warden may immediately proceed to process the ballots after the person has completed the review. If there are multiple requests for inspection under this subsection, the warden may reasonably limit the time and manner of inspection by each member of the public and may give priority to requests for inspection by authorized representatives of candidates and qualified parties. The Secretary of State may adopt rules necessary for the inspection of absentee ballot applications and envelopes before they are processed. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2025, c. 397, §47 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 194 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 194
21-A §194. Rules
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State may adopt rules regarding administration of a central voter registration system to determine the pricing, accessibility and availability of information contained in the database and the appropriate use and resale of that information and to identify additional system features or voter information to be included in the system or provide for the confidentiality of certain personal information or limitations on the use and distribution of that information. [PL 2009, c. 564, §5 (AMD).]

Rules adopted pursuant to this section are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2009, c. 564, §5 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1006 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1006
21-A §1006. Proceeds of game night
Status: in_force

A party committee, political action committee or ballot question committee registered under this chapter that conducts a game night pursuant to Title 17, section 1832, subsection 2‑B shall report to the commission all proceeds from the game night in a manner prescribed by rule by the commission. Rules adopted under this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2023, c. 391, §11 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 830 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 830
21-A §830. Application of provisions to voting by machine
Status: in_force

The provisions of this Title which are not inconsistent with this Article apply to all elections where voting machines are used. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 167 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 167
21-A §167. Violation and penalty
Status: in_force

A person who adds, deletes, alters or cancels a voter registration record in the central voter registration system or the voter registration file, knowing that person has no legal right to do so, commits a Class C crime. [PL 2005, c. 453, §38 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1013-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1013-A
21-A §1013-A. Registration
Status: in_force

1. Candidates, their treasurers and political committees. A candidate shall register the candidate's name and the name of a treasurer with the commission at least once in each legislative biennium, as provided in this section. A candidate may have only one treasurer, who must be appointed pursuant to paragraph A or B . For purposes of this section, "legislative biennium" means the term of office a person is elected to serve in the Legislature. A. No later than 10 days after becoming a candidate and before accepting contributions, making expenditures or incurring obligations, a candidate for state or county office or a candidate for municipal office who has not filed a written notice in accordance with section 1011, subsection 4, paragraph A shall appoint a treasurer. The candidate may serve as treasurer, except that a participating candidate, as defined in section 1122, subsection 6 , or a candidate certified in accordance with section 1125 may not serve as treasurer, except that the candidate may serve as treasurer or deputy treasurer for up to 14 days after declaring an intention to qualify for campaign financing under chapter 14 until the candidate identifies another person to serve as treasurer. The candidate may have only one treasurer, who is responsible for the filing of campaign finance reports under this chapter. A candidate shall register the candidate's name and address and the name and address of the treasurer appointed under this section no later than 10 days after the appointment of the treasurer. A candidate may accept contributions personally or make or authorize expenditures personally, as long as the candidate reports all contributions and expenditures to the treasurer. The treasurer shall make a consolidated report of all income and expenditures and provide this report to the commission. (1) A candidate may appoint a deputy treasurer to act in the absence of the treasurer. The deputy treasurer, when acting in the absence of the treasurer, has the same powers and responsibilities as the treasurer. A candidate certified in accordance with section 1125 may not serve as deputy treasurer. When a treasurer dies or resigns, the deputy treasurer may not assume the position of treasurer unless the candidate appoints the deputy treasurer to the position of treasurer. The candidate shall report the name and address of the deputy treasurer to the commission no later than 10 days after the deputy treasurer has been appointed. [PL 2011, c. 389, §9 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 389, §62 (AFF).] B. A candidate may authorize one political committee to promote the candidate's election. No later than 10 days after appointing a political committee and before accepting contributions, making expenditures or incurring obligations, a candidate for state, county or municipal office shall appoint a treasurer of the political committee. The treasurer of the political committee is responsible for filing campaign finance reports under this chapter. No later than 10 days after appointing a political committee, the candidate shall register with the commission the following information regarding the political committee: (1) The name of the committee; (2) The name and address of the committee's treasurer; (3) The name of the candidate who authorized the committee; and (4) The names and addresses of the committee's officers. [PL 1995, c. 483, §4 (AMD).] C. No later than 10 days after becoming a candidate, as defined in section 1, subsection 5 , a candidate for the office of State House of Representatives or Senate may file in writing a statement declaring that the candidate agrees to accept voluntary limits on political expenditures or that the candidate does not agree to accept voluntary limits on political expenditures, as specified in section 1015, subsections 7 to 9 . A candidate who has filed a declaration of intent to become certified as a candidate under the Maine Clean Election Act is not required to file the written statement described in this paragraph. The statement filed by a candidate who voluntarily agrees to limit spending must state that the candidate knows the voluntary expenditure limitations as set out in section 1015, subsection 8 and that the candidate is voluntarily agreeing to limit the candidate's political expenditures and those made on behalf of the candidate by the candidate's political committee or committees, the candidate's party and the candidate's immediate family to the amount set by law. The statement must further state that the candidate does not condone and will not solicit any independent expenditures made on behalf of the candidate. The statement filed by a candidate who does not agree to voluntarily limit political expenditures must state that the candidate does not accept the voluntary expenditure limits as set out in section 1015, subsection 8 . [PL 2015, c. 350, §4 (AMD).] [PL 2015, c. 350, §4 (AMD).]

2. Authorized political committees. [PL 1991, c. 839, §5 (RP); PL 1991, c. 839, §34 (AFF).]

3. Party committees. The district, county and municipal committees of parties shall submit to their state party committees the names, mailing addresses and e-mail addresses of all their officers and of their treasurers and the name and address of the principal paid employee, if any, within 10 days after the appointment, election or hiring of these persons. Municipal committees shall file copies of the same information with the municipal clerk. No later than June 15th of each year, the state party committee shall submit to the commission a consolidated report of the names, mailing addresses and e-mail addresses of the chair and treasurer of the district, county and municipal committees of that party or of another officer if a chair or treasurer has not been appointed. [PL 2021, c. 132, §4 (AMD).]

4. Reporting by registered treasurers. Any contribution accepted and any expenditure made or authorized by or on behalf of a candidate registered under this section or qualified under sections 335 and 336 or sections 354 and 355 must be recorded and reported as provided in sections 1016 and 1017 . [PL 1991, c. 839, §6 (AMD); PL 1991, c. 839, §34 (AFF).]

5. Changes in registration information. Every change in information required by this section to be reported to the commission shall be reported within 10 days of the date of the change. [PL 1989, c. 504, §§4, 31 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 354 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 354
21-A §354. Petition requirements
Status: in_force

A nomination petition shall be on a form provided by the Secretary of State and is governed by the following provisions. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1. Content. A nomination petition must contain the name of only one candidate, the candidate's municipality of residence, the office sought and electoral division. A nomination petition may contain as many separate papers as necessary and may contain the candidate's consent required by section 355 . It may also contain the candidate's political designation. This designation may not exceed 3 words in length, may not incorporate the candidate's name or the designation or an abbreviation of the designation of a party that is qualified to nominate candidates by primary election and may not consist of or comprise language that is obscene, contemptuous, profane or prejudicial, promotes abusive or unlawful activity or violates any other provision of the laws of this State with respect to names. A candidate who intends to form a new party about that person's candidacy must use the proposed party's designation. A. When 2 United States Senators are to be nominated, the nomination petition must contain the term of office sought by the candidate. [PL 2019, c. 371, §11 (AMD).] B. The names of presidential electors must be placed on the petition as a slate. The names of the candidates for President and Vice President must be placed on a petition for the nomination of presidential electors. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] [PL 2023, c. 389, §3 (AMD).]

2. By whom signed. A nomination petition may be signed only by voters of the electoral division which is to make the nomination, except that nomination petitions for presidential electors may be signed by any Maine voter. Other signatures are void. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

3. How signed. The voter must personally sign that voter's name in such a manner as to satisfy the registrar of that voter's municipality that the voter is a registered voter. Either the voter or the circulator of the petition must print the voter's name. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §46 (COR).]

4. Residence. The voter or the circulator of the petition must write or print the voter's residence address and municipality of registration. Ditto marks are permitted for residence address and municipality of registration only. [PL 2005, c. 453, §49 (AMD).]

5. Number of signatures required. Nomination petitions must be signed by the following numbers of voters: A. For a slate of candidates for the office of presidential elector, at least 4,000 and not more than 5,000 voters; [PL 2021, c. 273, §6 (AMD).] B. For a candidate for Governor, at least 4,000 and not more than 5,000 voters; [PL 2021, c. 273, §6 (AMD).] C. For a candidate for United States Senator, at least 4,000 and not more than 5,000 voters; [PL 2021, c. 273, §6 (AMD).] D. For a candidate for United States Representative, at least 2,000 and not more than 2,500 voters; [PL 2021, c. 273, §6 (AMD).] E. For a candidate for county office other than county commissioner or county charter commission member, at least 300 and not more than 400 voters; [PL 1991, c. 362, §2 (AMD).] E-1. For a candidate for county commissioner, at least 100 and not more than 150 voters; [PL 1991, c. 362, §3 (NEW).] F. For a candidate for State Senator, at least 200 and not more than 300 voters; [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] G. For a candidate for State Representative, at least 50 and not more than 80 voters; and [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] H. For a candidate for county charter commission member, at least 50 and not more than 80 voters. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 273, §6 (AMD).]

6. When signed. A nomination petition may not be signed before January 1st of the election year in which it is to be used. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

7. Certification of petitions. A nomination petition shall be verified and certified as follows. A. The circulator of a nomination petition shall 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; each signature authorized under section 153‑A was made by the authorized signer in the presence and at the direction of the voter; and each person is a resident of the electoral division named in the petition. [PL 2009, c. 253, §20 (AMD).] B. 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 May 25th in the election year in which the petitions are to be used, except that petitions for a slate of candidates for the office of presidential elector must be delivered for certification by 5 p.m. on July 25th in the election year in which the petitions are to be used. [PL 2013, c. 131, §12 (AMD).] C. The registrar, or clerk at the request or upon the absence of the registrar, of each municipality concerned shall certify which names on a petition appear in the central voter registration system as registered voters in that municipality and may not certify any names that do not satisfy subsection 3 . [PL 2005, c. 453, §50 (AMD).] [PL 2013, c. 131, §12 (AMD).]

8. Filed with the Secretary of State. [PL 1985, c. 383, §7 (RP).]

8-A. Filed with the Secretary of State. A nomination petition must be filed in the office of the Secretary of State by 5 p.m. on June 1st in the election year in which it is to be used, except that petitions for a slate of candidates for the office of presidential elector must be filed in the office of the Secretary of State by 5 p.m. on August 1st in the election year in which the petitions are to be used. [PL 2013, c. 131, §13 (AMD).]

9. Petition validity. For a candidate to qualify for the ballot, a nomination petition must meet all of the requirements of this section. If the circulator swears an oath or affirmation in accordance with subsection 7, paragraph A that the circulator reasonably believes to be true and accurate at the time the oath or affirmation is sworn and there is no proof of fraud or a knowingly false statement by the circulator, then the voters' signatures that do not meet the requirements of subsection 7, paragraph A may not be counted, but the petition is otherwise valid. [PL 2009, c. 253, §21 (RPR).]
21-A M.R.S. § 341 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 341
21-A §341. Unenrolled voter participation in primary elections allowed
Status: in_force

A registered voter not enrolled in a political party may participate, subject to the restrictions of section 145, subsection 3 , in a party's primary election without enrolling in that political party. An unenrolled voter may vote in only one party's primary election. The Secretary of State shall establish procedures to ensure that each voter voting in a party's primary election is offered a ballot for that primary election. [PL 2021, c. 750, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 750, §14 (AFF).]
21-A M.R.S. § 671 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 671
21-A §671. Voting procedure
Status: in_force

The voting procedure is as follows. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1. Name announced. A voter who wishes to vote must state the voter's name and residence address to an election clerk, who shall announce the name in a loud, clear voice. If the voter's stated residence address is different from the residence address listed on the incoming voting list, the voter must be directed to complete an updated voter registration application before voting. [PL 2019, c. 371, §20 (AMD).]

2. Name checked and ballot issued. The election clerk in charge of the incoming voting list shall place a check mark or a horizontal line, in red ink, on the list beside the voter's name, and if there is more than one party or district ballot style used at that voting place, the election clerk must state in a loud, clear voice the party or district ballot style that the voter must be given. The election clerk in charge of the ballots shall give the voter one ballot of each kind to which the voter is entitled, and if there is more than one party or district ballot style used at that voting place, the election clerk must repeat the party or district ballot style being given to the voter. The voter must be given a ballot when the voter’s name is checked on the incoming voting list and may not be referred to another location to obtain the ballot. A voter who will vote using the accessible voting system may not be given an official ballot, but may be given a sample ballot to use as a voting aid. In a primary election, if the voter is unenrolled but eligible to vote in a party's primary election under section 341 or 441 , the election clerk in charge of the incoming voting list shall ask the voter to identify which party's ballot the voter wishes to receive. Unless the voter chooses not to receive a party ballot, the election clerk in charge of the incoming voting list shall state in a loud, clear voice the party ballot that the voter has requested and shall make a notation on the incoming voting list of the party ballot requested by the voter. The election clerk in charge of ballots shall give the voter the party ballot and shall repeat the party ballot being given to the voter. [PL 2021, c. 750, §9 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 750, §14 (AFF).]

3. Ballot issued. [PL 2015, c. 447, §19 (RP).]

4. Retires to voting booth. After receiving the ballot or ballots, the voter shall retire to a voting booth and mark the ballot or ballots without delay and leave the voting booth. No ballot, marked or unmarked, may be left in the voting booth by the voter. If the voter is using the accessible voting system, an election official shall escort the voter to the voting station, instruct the voter on the proper use of the accessible voting system, provide the voter with access to all ballots to which the voter is entitled and permit the voter to cast the voter's ballot using the accessible voting system. [PL 2015, c. 447, §20 (AMD).]

5. Ballot deposited. When the voter leaves the voting booth, the voter shall proceed to the ballot box. The clerk shall require the voter to deposit in the ballot box all ballots, marked or unmarked, issued to the voter under subsection 2 , and the voter shall then leave the area enclosed by the guardrail. The voter may not leave the guardrail enclosure until the voter has deposited all ballots that were issued to the voter. The voter may permit a family member or an assistant under section 672 to deposit the ballots for the voter. A. [PL 2001, c. 310, §35 (RP).] [PL 2015, c. 447, §21 (AMD).]

6. Reentry prohibited. A voter who has once left the area enclosed by the guardrail may not reenter. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

7. Ballot box opening covered. The election clerk in charge of the ballot box shall keep the opening covered except when receiving a ballot. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

8. Secrecy preserved. The warden at each voting place may not remain or allow any other person to remain where the warden or that person can see how a voter votes, except that a proper official may remain when the official's assistance has been requested by a voter. [PL 1999, c. 645, §3 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1125 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 14 / Section 1125
21-A §1125. Terms of participation
Status: in_force

1. Declaration of intent. A participating candidate shall file a declaration of intent to seek certification as a Maine Clean Election Act candidate and to comply with the requirements of this chapter. The declaration of intent must be filed with the commission prior to or during the qualifying period, except as provided in subsection 11 or 11‑A , according to forms and procedures developed by the commission. Qualifying contributions collected more than 5 business days before the declaration of intent has been filed will not be counted toward the eligibility requirements in subsection 3 or 3‑A . [PL 2023, c. 211, §1 (AMD).]

2. Contribution limits for participating candidates. Subsequent to becoming a candidate as defined by section 1, subsection 5 and prior to certification, a participating candidate may not accept contributions, except for seed money contributions. A participating candidate must limit the candidate's total seed money contributions to the following amounts: A. Two hundred thousand dollars for a gubernatorial candidate; [PL 2009, c. 363, §2 (AMD).] B. Three thousand dollars for a candidate for the State Senate; or [IB 2015, c. 1, §15 (AMD).] C. One thousand dollars for a candidate for the State House of Representatives. [IB 2015, c. 1, §15 (AMD).] The commission may, by rule, revise these amounts to ensure the effective implementation of this chapter. [IB 2015, c. 1, §15 (AMD).]

2-A. Seed money restrictions. To be eligible for certification, a participating candidate may collect and spend only seed money contributions subsequent to becoming a candidate and prior to certification. A participating candidate may not solicit, accept or collect seed money contributions after certification as a Maine Clean Election Act candidate. A. All goods and services received prior to certification must be paid for with seed money contributions, except for goods and services that are excluded from the definition of contribution in section 1012, subsection 2, paragraph B . It is a violation of this chapter for a certified candidate to use fund revenues received after certification to pay for goods and services received prior to certification. [PL 2019, c. 323, §28 (AMD).] B. Prior to certification, a participating candidate may obligate an amount greater than the seed money collected, but may only receive that portion of goods and services that has been paid for or will be paid for with seed money. A participating candidate who has accepted contributions or made expenditures that do not comply with the seed money restrictions under this chapter may petition the commission to remain eligible for certification as a Maine Clean Election Act candidate in accordance with rules of the commission, if the failure to comply was unintentional and does not constitute a significant infraction of these restrictions. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. B, §6 (NEW).] C. Upon requesting certification, a participating candidate shall file a report of all seed money contributions and expenditures. If the candidate is certified, any unspent seed money will be deducted from the amount distributed to the candidate as provided in subsection 8‑F . [IB 2015, c. 1, §16 (AMD).] [PL 2019, c. 323, §28 (AMD).]

2-B. Seed money required for gubernatorial candidates; documentation. [IB 2015, c. 1, §17 (RP).]

2-C. Change in campaign financing. If a candidate has accepted contributions as a candidate for Governor, State Senator or State Representative that are not seed money contributions as defined in section 1122, subsection 9 or do not comply with the seed money restrictions in subsections 2 and 2‑A , the candidate is ineligible for certification in the same election cycle. [PL 2021, c. 132, §10 (NEW).]

3. Qualifying contributions. The collection of qualifying contributions is governed by this subsection. A. [PL 2019, c. 323, §29 (RP).] B. [PL 2019, c. 323, §29 (RP).] C. [PL 2019, c. 323, §29 (RP).] D. To be eligible to receive funding from the fund, participating candidates must obtain qualifying contributions during the qualifying period as follows: (1) For a gubernatorial candidate, at least 3,200 verified registered voters of this State must support the candidacy by providing a qualifying contribution to that candidate; (2) For a candidate for the State Senate, at least 175 verified registered voters from the candidate's electoral division must support the candidacy by providing a qualifying contribution to that candidate; or (3) For a candidate for the State House of Representatives, at least 60 verified registered voters from the candidate's electoral division must support the candidacy by providing a qualifying contribution to that candidate. [PL 2019, c. 323, §29 (NEW).] E. A contributor making a qualifying contribution by check or money order shall sign the check or money order. If the contributor has made a check or money order payable to a participating candidate in error, the candidate may remedy the error by endorsing the check or money order to the fund. [PL 2019, c. 323, §29 (NEW).] F. A contributor may make a qualifying contribution to a participating candidate in the form of cash, as long as the contributor signs a form prepared by the commission affirming that the contributor made the contribution with personal funds. A candidate receiving qualifying contributions in cash shall submit the contributions to the commission in the aggregate in the form of a cashier's check or money order payable to the fund. The candidate may not deposit qualifying contributions received in cash into the candidate's campaign account. [PL 2019, c. 323, §29 (NEW).] G. As an alternative to making a qualifying contribution under paragraph F , a contributor may make a qualifying contribution to a participating candidate in the form of cash, as long as the candidate submits a money order in the same amount to the commission. The money order must be signed by the contributor to be a valid qualifying contribution. The cash received from the contributor must be used to reimburse the person who provided the money order. [PL 2019, c. 323, §29 (NEW).] H. Any fees for a cashier's check or a money order paid with seed money must be reported as an expenditure in campaign finance reports submitted to the commission. If a participating candidate uses personal funds to pay fees for the purchase of a cashier's check or money order, those fees are not a contribution to the candidate and are not required to be disclosed in campaign finance reports. The candidate shall report any cashier's check or money order fees paid by anyone other than the candidate as an in-kind contribution subject to seed money limitations. [PL 2019, c. 323, §29 (NEW).] I. The commission may establish by routine technical rule, adopted in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A , a procedure for a qualifying contribution to be made by a credit or debit transaction and by electronic funds transfer over the Internet. Records containing information provided by individuals who have made qualifying contributions over the Internet are confidential, except for the name of the individual making the contribution, the date of the contribution, the individual's residential address and the name and office sought of the candidate in whose support the contribution was made. [PL 2019, c. 323, §29 (NEW).] J. A payment, gift or anything of value may not be given in exchange for a qualifying contribution. It is a violation of this chapter for a participating candidate or an agent of the participating candidate to misrepresent the purpose of soliciting qualifying contributions and obtaining the contributor's signed acknowledgment or submit any fraudulent contributions to the commission, as defined by the rules of the commission. [PL 2023, c. 324, §17 (AMD).] [PL 2023, c. 324, §17 (AMD).]

3-A. Additional qualifying contributions. Participating or certified candidates may collect and submit to the commission additional qualifying contributions at the times specified in subsection 8‑E . The commission shall credit a candidate with either one qualifying contribution or one additional qualifying contribution, but not both, from any one contributor during the same election cycle. If any candidate collects and submits to the commission qualifying contributions or additional qualifying contributions that cannot be credited pursuant to this subsection, those qualifying contributions or additional qualifying contributions may be refunded to the contributor or deposited into the Maine Clean Election Fund at the discretion of the candidate. The procedures and restrictions set out in subsection 3, paragraphs E to J apply to additional qualifying contributions. [PL 2019, c. 323, §30 (AMD).]

3-B. Receipt and acknowledgment forms. The commission shall prepare forms for persons making qualifying contributions to acknowledge the contribution as provided in section 1122, subsection 7, paragraph D . A qualifying contribution is not valid if anyone other than the contributor signed the contributor's name to the form, except that a qualifying contribution is valid if it is signed by the contributor's immediate family member or live-in caregiver when the contributor is unable to sign due to a physical impairment or disability. [PL 2019, c. 323, §31 (NEW).]

4. Filing with commission. A participating candidate must submit qualifying contributions, receipt and acknowledgement forms, proof of verification of voter registration and a seed money report to the commission during the qualifying period according to procedures developed by the commission, except as provided under subsection 11 or 11‑A . [PL 2023, c. 211, §2 (AMD).]

5. Certification of Maine Clean Election Act candidates. Upon receipt of a final submittal of qualifying contributions by a participating candidate, the executive director of the commission shall determine whether the candidate has: A. Signed and filed a declaration of intent to participate in this Act; [IB 1995, c. 1, §17 (NEW).] B. Submitted the appropriate number of valid qualifying contributions; [IB 1995, c. 1, §17 (NEW).] C. Qualified as a candidate by petition or other means no later than 5 business days after the end of the qualifying period; [PL 2011, c. 389, §52 (AMD).] C-1. [IB 2015, c. 1, §20 (RP).] D. Not accepted contributions, except for seed money contributions, and otherwise complied with seed money restrictions; [PL 2003, c. 270, §1 (AMD).] D-1. Not run for the same office as a nonparticipating candidate in a primary election in the same election year; [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. B, §6 (AMD).] D-2. Not been found to have made a material false statement in a report or other document submitted to the commission; [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. B, §6 (NEW).] D-3. Not otherwise substantially violated the provisions of this chapter or chapter 13 ; [PL 2009, c. 190, Pt. B, §2 (AMD).] D-4. Not failed to pay any civil penalty assessed by the commission under this Title, except that a candidate has 3 business days from the date of the request for certification to pay the outstanding penalty and remain eligible for certification; [PL 2011, c. 389, §52 (AMD).] D-5. Not submitted any fraudulent qualifying contributions or any falsified acknowledgement forms for qualifying contributions or seed money contributions; and [PL 2011, c. 389, §52 (NEW).] E. Otherwise met the requirements for participation in this Act. [IB 1995, c. 1, §17 (NEW).] The executive director shall certify a candidate complying with the requirements of this section as a Maine Clean Election Act candidate as soon as possible after final submittal of qualifying contributions and other supporting documents required under subsection 4 but no later than 3 business days for legislative candidates and 5 business days for gubernatorial candidates. The executive director may take additional time if further investigation is necessary to verify compliance with this Act as long as the commission notifies the candidate regarding the anticipated schedule for conclusion of the investigation. A candidate or other interested person may appeal the decision of the executive director to the members of the commission in accordance with subsection 14 . A certified candidate must comply with all requirements of this Act after certification and throughout the primary and general election periods. Failure to do so is a violation of this chapter. [IB 2015, c. 1, §20 (AMD).]

5-A. Revocation of certification. The certification of a certified candidate may be revoked at any time if the commission determines that the candidate or an agent of the candidate: A. Did not submit the required number of valid qualifying contributions; [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. B, §6 (NEW).] B. Failed to qualify as a candidate by petition or other means; [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. B, §6 (NEW).] C. Submitted any fraudulent qualifying contributions or qualifying contributions that were not made by the named contributor; [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. B, §6 (NEW).] D. Misrepresented to a contributor the purpose of the qualifying contribution or obtaining the contributor's signature on the receipt and acknowledgement form; [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. B, §6 (NEW).] E. Failed to fully comply with the seed money restrictions; [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. B, §6 (NEW).] F. Knowingly accepted any contributions, including any in-kind contributions, or used funds other than fund revenues distributed under this chapter to make campaign-related expenditures without the permission of the commission; [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. B, §6 (NEW).] G. Knowingly made a false statement or material misrepresentation in any report or other document required to be filed under this chapter or chapter 13 ; [PL 2009, c. 363, §6 (AMD).] H. Otherwise substantially violated the provisions of this chapter or chapter 13 ; or [PL 2009, c. 363, §6 (AMD).] I. As a gubernatorial candidate, failed to properly report seed money contributions as required by this section. [PL 2009, c. 363, §6 (NEW).] The determination to revoke the certification of a candidate must be made by a vote of the members of the commission after an opportunity for a hearing. A candidate whose certification is revoked shall return all unspent funds to the commission within 3 days of the commission's decision and may be required to return all funds distributed to the candidate. In addition to the requirement to return funds, the candidate may be subject to a civil penalty under section 1127 . The candidate may appeal the commission's decision to revoke certification in the same manner provided in subsection 14, paragraph C . [PL 2021, c. 132, §11 (AMD).]

5-B. Restrictions on serving as treasurer. A participating or certified candidate may not serve as a treasurer or deputy treasurer for that candidate's campaign, except that the candidate may serve as treasurer or deputy treasurer for up to 14 days after declaring an intention to qualify for campaign financing under this chapter until the candidate identifies another person to serve as treasurer. [PL 2011, c. 389, §53 (AMD).]

6. Restrictions on contributions and expenditures for certified candidates. After certification, a candidate must limit the candidate's campaign expenditures and obligations, including outstanding obligations, to the revenues distributed to the candidate from the fund and may not accept any contributions unless specifically authorized by the commission. Candidates may also accept and spend interest earned on fund revenues in campaign bank accounts. All revenues distributed to a certified candidate from the fund must be used for campaign-related purposes. The candidate, the treasurer, the candidate's committee authorized pursuant to section 1013‑A, subsection 1 or any agent of the candidate and committee may not use these revenues for any but campaign-related purposes. The candidate, the treasurer, the candidate's committee authorized pursuant to section 1013‑A, subsection 1 or any agent of the candidate and committee may not use these revenues for post-election parties. This section does not prohibit a candidate from using personal funds for post-election parties as governed by rules of the commission. The commission shall publish guidelines outlining permissible campaign-related expenditures. [PL 2017, c. 31, §1 (AMD).]

6-A. Assisting a person to become an opponent. A candidate or a person who later becomes a candidate and who is seeking certification under subsection 5 , or an agent of that candidate, may not assist another person in qualifying as a candidate for the same office if such a candidacy would result in the distribution of revenues under subsections 7 and 8‑F for certified candidates in a contested election. [IB 2015, c. 1, §21 (AMD).]

6-B. Expenditures as payment to household members. [PL 2009, c. 302, §13 (RP).]

6-C. Expenditures to the candidate or family or household members. Expenditures to the candidate or immediate family member or household member of the candidate are governed by this subsection. A. The candidate may not use fund revenues to pay or compensate the candidate or the candidate's spouse or domestic partner, a sole proprietorship of the candidate or the candidate's spouse or domestic partner, a business entity in which the candidate or the candidate's spouse or domestic partner holds a significant proprietary or financial interest or a nonprofit entity in which the candidate or the candidate's spouse or domestic partner is a director, officer, executive director or chief financial officer for campaign-related goods or services. [PL 2019, c. 323, §32 (AMD).] B. A candidate may make expenditures using fund revenues to pay a member of the candidate's immediate family or household other than the candidate's spouse or domestic partner; a business entity in which a member of the candidate's immediate family or household other than the candidate's spouse or domestic partner holds a significant proprietary or financial interest; or a nonprofit entity in which a member of the candidate's immediate family or household other than the candidate's spouse or domestic partner is a director, officer, executive director or chief financial officer, as long as the expenditure is made: (1) For a legitimate campaign-related purpose; (2) To an individual or business that provides the goods or services being purchased in the normal course of the individual's occupation or the business; and (3) In an amount that is reasonable taking into consideration current market value and other factors the commission may choose to consider. For the purpose of this paragraph, "business entity" means a corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, limited liability partnership and general partnership. If a candidate uses fund revenues for an expenditure covered by this paragraph, the candidate shall submit evidence demonstrating that the expenditure complies with the requirements of this paragraph if requested by the commission. [PL 2019, c. 323, §32 (AMD).] This subsection does not prohibit reimbursement to the candidate or a member of a candidate's household or immediate family when made in accordance with this chapter and rules adopted by the commission. [PL 2019, c. 323, §32 (AMD).]

6-D (omitted). Revisor's Note: Subsection 6-D omitted when subsection 6-E was enacted by PL 2011, c. 389, §55

6-E. Expenditures for television advertising. A certified candidate must include closed-captioning within any television advertisement that the candidate provides to a broadcasting or cable television station for broadcast to the public, except for an advertisement aired in the final 4 days before an election if inclusion of closed-captioning during that period is impractical or would materially affect the timing of the candidate's advertisement. [PL 2021, c. 132, §12 (AMD).]

6-F. Participation in political action committees. A participating candidate or a certified candidate may not establish a political action committee for which the candidate is a treasurer or principal officer or for which the candidate is primarily responsible for fund-raising or decision making. This prohibition applies between April 1st immediately preceding a general election through: A. The date on which the candidate withdraws from a race; [PL 2015, c. 116, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 116, §2 (AFF).] B. The date of the primary election or general election for a candidate who loses either election; or [PL 2015, c. 116, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 116, §2 (AFF).] C. January 1st immediately preceding the next general election for a candidate who wins the general election. [PL 2015, c. 116, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 116, §2 (AFF).] This prohibition also applies to a participating candidate or certified candidate in a special election, except that the prohibition begins on the date of the candidate's nomination. This subsection does not prohibit a participating candidate or certified candidate, including a certified candidate who wins a general or special election, from engaging in fund-raising or decision making for a caucus political action committee. This prohibition applies to a participating candidate or certified candidate regardless of the date on which the political action committee was established. [PL 2021, c. 217, §12 (AMD).]

7. Timing of initial fund distribution. The commission shall distribute to certified candidates revenues from the fund in amounts determined under subsections 8‑B to 8‑D in the following manner. A. Within 3 days after certification, for candidates certified prior to March 15th of the election year, revenues from the fund must be distributed as if the candidates are in an uncontested primary election. [PL 2001, c. 465, §4 (AMD).] B. Within 3 days after certification, for all candidates certified between March 15th and the end of the qualifying period of the election year, revenues from the fund must be distributed according to whether the candidate is in a contested or uncontested primary election. [PL 2009, c. 363, §7 (AMD).] B-1. For candidates in contested primary elections receiving a distribution under paragraph A , additional revenues from the fund must be distributed within 3 days of March 15th of the election year. [PL 2001, c. 465, §4 (NEW).] C. No later than 3 days after the primary election results are certified, for general election certified candidates, revenues from the fund must be distributed according to whether the candidate is in a contested or uncontested general election. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. B, §6 (AMD).] Funds may be distributed to certified candidates under this section by any mechanism that is expeditious, ensures accountability and safeguards the integrity of the fund. [IB 2015, c. 1, §22 (AMD).]

7-A. Deposit into account; release of bank records. A candidate or a committee authorized pursuant to section 1013‑A, subsection 1 shall deposit all revenues from the fund and all seed money contributions in an account, referred to in this subsection as a "campaign account," with a bank or other financial institution. The campaign funds must be segregated from, and may not be commingled with, any other funds. A. A participating candidate shall provide to the commission a signed written authorization allowing the bank or other financial institution administering a campaign account to release to the commission all records held by that bank or institution pertaining to the campaign account, including, but not limited to, campaign account statements, records of payments or transfers from the campaign account and deposits of funds to the campaign account. [PL 2011, c. 522, §2 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 522, §4 (AFF).] B. The executive director of the commission or its auditor, during an audit or during an investigation authorized by the commission or the chair of the commission of potential noncompliance with the requirements of this chapter, chapter 13 or a rule of the commission, may request that a candidate provide the records of a campaign account. If the candidate fails to comply with the request within 30 days of receiving it, the executive director or auditor may use the authorization obtained pursuant to paragraph A to obtain the records directly from the bank or other financial institution. [PL 2011, c. 522, §2 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 522, §4 (AFF).] [PL 2011, c. 522, §2 (RPR); PL 2011, c. 522, §4 (AFF).]

7-B. Timing of supplemental fund distribution. The following provisions govern the timing of supplemental fund distributions. A. For gubernatorial candidates, any supplemental primary or general election distributions made pursuant to subsection 8‑B must be made within 3 business days of certification by the commission of the required number of additional qualifying contributions. [IB 2015, c. 1, §23 (NEW).] B. For legislative candidates, any supplemental general election distributions made pursuant to subsections 8‑C and 8‑D must be made within 3 business days of certification by the commission of the required number of additional qualifying contributions. [IB 2015, c. 1, §23 (NEW).] [IB 2015, c. 1, §23 (NEW).]

8. Amount of fund distribution. [PL 2009, c. 652, Pt. A, §23 (RP); PL 2009, c. 652, Pt. A, §24 (AFF).]

8-A. Amount of fund distribution. [IB 2015, c. 1, §24 (RP).]

8-B. Distributions to certified gubernatorial candidates. Distributions from the fund to certified gubernatorial candidates must be made as follows. A. For an uncontested primary election, the total distribution of revenues is $200,000 per candidate. [IB 2015, c. 1, §25 (NEW).] B. For a contested primary election, the amount of revenues distributed is as follows: (1) The initial distribution of revenues is $400,000 per candidate; (2) For each increment of 800 additional qualifying contributions a candidate collects and submits pursuant to subsection 8‑E , not to exceed a total of 3,200 additional qualifying contributions, the supplemental distribution of revenues to that candidate is $150,000; and (3) The total amount of revenues distributed for a contested primary election may not exceed $1,000,000 per candidate. [IB 2015, c. 1, §25 (NEW).] C. For an uncontested general election, the total distribution of revenues is $600,000 per candidate. [IB 2015, c. 1, §25 (NEW).] D. For a contested general election, the amount of revenues distributed is as follows: (1) The initial distribution of revenues is $600,000 per candidate; (2) For each increment of 1,200 additional qualifying contributions a candidate collects and submits pursuant to subsection 8‑E , not to exceed a total of 9,600 additional qualifying contributions, the supplemental distribution of revenues to that candidate is $175,000; and (3) The total amount of revenues distributed for a contested general election may not exceed $2,000,000 per candidate. [IB 2015, c. 1, §25 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 132, §13 (AMD).]

8-C. Distributions to certified candidates for State Senate. Distributions from the fund to certified candidates for the State Senate must be made as follows. A. For an uncontested primary election, the total distribution of revenues is $2,000 per candidate. [IB 2015, c. 1, §25 (NEW).] B. For a contested primary election, the total distribution of revenues is $10,000 per candidate. [IB 2015, c. 1, §25 (NEW).] C. For an uncontested general election, the total distribution of revenues is $6,000 per candidate. [IB 2015, c. 1, §25 (NEW).] D. For a contested general election, the amount of revenues distributed is as follows: (1) The initial distribution of revenues is $20,000 per candidate; (2) For each increment of 45 additional qualifying contributions a candidate collects and submits pursuant to subsection 8‑E , not to exceed a total of 360 additional qualifying contributions, the supplemental distribution of revenues to that candidate is $5,000; and (3) The total amount of revenues distributed for a contested general election may not exceed $60,000 per candidate. [IB 2015, c. 1, §25 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 132, §14 (AMD).]

8-D. Distributions to certified candidates for State House of Representatives. Distributions from the fund to certified candidates for the State House of Representatives must be made as follows. A. For an uncontested primary election, the total distribution of revenues is $500 per candidate. [IB 2015, c. 1, §25 (NEW).] B. For a contested primary election, the total distribution of revenues is $2,500 per candidate. [IB 2015, c. 1, §25 (NEW).] C. For an uncontested general election, the total distribution of revenues is $1,500 per candidate. [IB 2015, c. 1, §25 (NEW).] D. For a contested general election, the amount of revenues distributed is as follows: (1) The initial distribution of revenues is $5,000 per candidate; (2) For each increment of 15 additional qualifying contributions a candidate collects and submits pursuant to subsection 8‑E , not to exceed a total of 120 additional qualifying contributions, the supplemental distribution of revenues to that candidate is $1,250; and (3) The total amount of revenues distributed for a contested general election may not exceed $15,000 per candidate. [IB 2015, c. 1, §25 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 132, §15 (AMD).]

8-E. Collection and submission of additional qualifying contributions. Participating or certified candidates may collect and submit additional qualifying contributions in accordance with subsection 3‑A to the commission as follows: A. For gubernatorial candidates, no earlier than October 15th of the year before the year of the election and no later than 3 weeks before election day; and [IB 2015, c. 1, §25 (NEW).] B. For legislative candidates, no earlier than January 1st of the election year and no later than 3 weeks before election day. [IB 2015, c. 1, §25 (NEW).] Additional qualifying contributions may be submitted to the commission at any time in any amounts in accordance with the schedules in this subsection. The commission shall make supplemental distributions to candidates in the amounts and in accordance with the increments specified in subsections 8‑B to 8‑D . If a candidate submits additional qualifying contributions prior to a primary election in excess of the number of qualifying contributions for which a candidate may receive a distribution, the excess qualifying contributions must be counted as general election additional qualifying contributions if the candidate has a contested general election, but supplemental distributions based on these excess qualifying contributions may not be distributed until after the primary election. [PL 2019, c. 323, §33 (AMD).]

8-F. Amount of distributions. On December 1st of each even-numbered year the commission shall review and adjust the distribution amounts in subsections 8‑B to 8‑D based on the Consumer Price Index as reported by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. If an adjustment is warranted by the Consumer Price Index, the distribution amounts must be adjusted, rounded to the nearest amount divisible by $25. When making adjustments under this subsection, the commission may not change the number of qualifying contributions or additional qualifying contributions required to trigger an initial distribution or an increment of supplemental distribution. The commission shall post information about the distribution amounts including the date of any adjustment on its publicly accessible website and include this information with any publication to be used as a guide for candidates. [IB 2015, c. 1, §25 (NEW).]

9. Matching funds. [PL 2011, c. 558, §8 (RP).]

10. Candidate not enrolled in a party. An unenrolled candidate for the Legislature who submits the required number of qualifying contributions and other required documents under subsection 4 by 5:00 p.m. on April 20th preceding the primary election and who is certified is eligible for revenues from the fund in the same amounts and at the same time as an uncontested primary election candidate and a general election candidate as specified in subsections 7 , 8‑C and 8‑D . Revenues for the general election must be distributed to the candidate as specified in subsection 7 . An unenrolled candidate for Governor who submits the required number of qualifying contributions and other required documents under subsection 4 by 5:00 p.m. on April 1st preceding the primary election and who is certified is eligible for revenues from the fund in the same amounts and at the same time as an uncontested primary election gubernatorial candidate and a general election gubernatorial candidate as specified in subsections 7 and 8‑B . Revenues for the general election must be distributed to the candidate for Governor as specified in subsection 7 . [IB 2015, c. 1, §26 (AMD).]

11. Other procedures. The commission shall establish by rule procedures for qualification, certification, disbursement of fund revenues and return of unspent fund revenues for races involving special elections or recounts. [PL 2023, c. 211, §3 (AMD).]

11-A. Vacancies, withdrawals or replacement candidates. If a candidate dies, withdraws or is disqualified before an election, the qualifying period for any replacement candidate begins when the Secretary of State receives a notice of withdrawal or declares a vacancy, whichever occurs earlier. The commission shall establish by rule the end of the qualifying period for a replacement candidate and procedures for certification, disbursement of fund revenues and return of unspent fund revenues for races involving vacancies, withdrawals or replacement candidates. Qualifying contributions collected by a replacement candidate under this subsection may not be deposited into the fund until the replacement candidate has been nominated and, if the replacement candidate is not officially nominated, the commission shall return the qualifying contributions to the contributors, unless the contributor authorizes the deposit of the qualifying contribution into the fund. Rules of the commission adopted under this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2023, c. 211, §4 (NEW).]

12. Reporting; unspent revenue. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the treasurer or deputy treasurer of participating and certified candidates shall report any money collected, all campaign expenditures, obligations, refunds received by a candidate or agent of that candidate and related activities to the commission according to procedures developed by the commission. If a certified candidate pays fund revenues to a member of the candidate's immediate family or household or a business or nonprofit entity affiliated with a member of the candidate's immediate family or household, the treasurer or deputy treasurer must disclose the candidate's relationship to the payee in a manner prescribed by the commission. In developing these procedures, the commission shall utilize existing campaign reporting procedures whenever practicable. The commission shall ensure timely public access to campaign finance data and may utilize electronic means of reporting and storing information. Upon the filing of a final report for any primary election in which the candidate was defeated and for all general elections, that candidate shall return all unspent fund revenues to the commission. If the candidate or agent of the candidate receives a refund of an expenditure made for the campaign after filing the final report, the candidate shall return those funds to the fund within 14 days of receiving the refund. [PL 2013, c. 334, §33 (AMD).]

12-A. Required records. The candidate or treasurer shall obtain and keep: A. Bank or other account statements for the campaign account covering the duration of the campaign; [PL 2005, c. 542, §5 (NEW).] B. A vendor invoice stating the particular goods or services purchased for every expenditure in excess of $50; [PL 2013, c. 334, §34 (AMD).] C. A record proving that a vendor received payment for every expenditure in excess of $50 in the form of a cancelled check, cash receipt from the vendor or bank or credit card statement identifying the vendor as the payee; [PL 2023, c. 324, §18 (AMD).] D. [PL 2009, c. 524, §15 (RP).] E. A contemporaneous document such as an invoice, contract or timesheet that specifies in detail the services provided by a vendor who was paid in excess of $500 for the election cycle for providing campaign staff or consulting services to a candidate; and [PL 2023, c. 324, §19 (AMD).] F. If a candidate for the Legislature pays at least $3,000 to a member of the campaign staff, records for the number of hours and type of work performed by the member each day. The candidate or treasurer shall submit those records to the campaign at least once per month. [PL 2023, c. 324, §20 (NEW).] The candidate or treasurer shall preserve the records for 3 years following the candidate's final campaign finance report for the election cycle. The candidate and treasurer shall submit photocopies of the records to the commission upon its request. [PL 2023, c. 324, §§18-20 (AMD).]

12-B. Audit requirements for candidates for Governor. The commission shall audit the campaigns of candidates for Governor who receive funds under this chapter to verify compliance with election and campaign laws and rules. Within one month of declaring an intention to qualify for public financing, a candidate for Governor, the campaign's treasurer and any other relevant campaign staff shall meet with the staff of the commission to discuss audit standards, expenditure guidelines and record-keeping requirements. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. B, §6 (NEW).]

12-C. Payments to political committees. If a certified candidate makes a payment of fund revenues to a political action committee or party committee, the candidate shall include in reports required under this section a detailed explanation of the goods or services purchased according to forms and procedures developed by the commission that is sufficient to demonstrate that the payment was made solely to promote the candidate's election. [PL 2009, c. 286, §9 (NEW).]

12-D. Duties of the campaign treasurer and deputy treasurer. The treasurer shall file all campaign finance reports required by section 1017 , this chapter and commission rules, unless the treasurer delegates the filing of reports to the deputy treasurer designated on the candidate's registration. A candidate may enter financial transactions in an electronic reporting system or on paper forms of the commission, but the report must be filed by the treasurer or deputy treasurer. The treasurer is jointly responsible with the candidate for ensuring that the campaign keeps all records required by section 1016 , this chapter and commission rules. If the candidate keeps the records, the candidate shall provide the treasurer or deputy treasurer with access to the records for the purpose of filing complete and accurate campaign finance reports. The commission may hold the candidate and treasurer jointly and severally liable for any penalties assessed for violations of the financial reporting or record-keeping requirements of this chapter, chapter 13 and commission rules. If the deputy treasurer files reports for the campaign, the commission may hold the deputy treasurer jointly and severally liable for any penalties related to reports filed by the deputy treasurer. [PL 2013, c. 334, §35 (NEW).]

13. Distributions not to exceed amount in fund. [PL 2009, c. 524, §17 (RPR); MRSA T. 21-A §1125, sub-§13 (RP).]

13-A. Distributions not to exceed amount in fund. The commission may not distribute revenues to certified candidates in excess of the total amount of money deposited in the fund as set forth in section 1124 . Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, if the commission determines that the revenues in the fund are insufficient to meet distributions under subsection 8‑F , the commission may permit certified candidates to accept and spend contributions, reduced by any seed money contributions, aggregating no more than the applicable contribution limits established by the commission pursuant to section 1015 , up to the applicable amounts set forth in subsection 8‑F according to rules adopted by the commission. [IB 2015, c. 1, §27 (AMD).]

14. Appeals. A candidate who has been denied certification as a Maine Clean Election Act candidate by the commission's executive director, the opponent of a candidate who has been granted certification as a Maine Clean Election Act candidate or other interested persons may challenge a certification decision by the executive director as follows. A. A challenger may appeal to the commission within 7 days of the certification decision. The appeal must be in writing and must set forth the reasons for the appeal. [PL 2011, c. 389, §59 (AMD).] B. Within 5 days after an appeal is properly made and after notice is given to the challenger and any opponent, the commission shall hold a hearing, except that the commission may extend this period upon agreement of the challenger and the candidate whose certification is the subject of the appeal, or in response to the request of either party upon a showing of good cause. The appellant has the burden of proving that the certification decision was in error as a matter of law or was based on factual error. The commission must rule on the appeal within 5 business days after the completion of the hearing. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. B, §6 (AMD).] C. A challenger may appeal the decision of the commission in paragraph B by commencing an action in Superior Court within 5 days of the date of the commission's decision. The action must be conducted in accordance with Rule 80C of the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, except that the court shall issue its written decision within 20 days of the date of the commission's decision. Any aggrieved party may appeal the decision of the Superior Court by filing a notice of appeal within 3 days of that decision. The record on appeal must be transmitted to the Law Court within 3 days after the notice of appeal is filed. After filing the notice of appeal, the parties have 4 days to file briefs and appendices with the clerk of the court. The court shall consider the case as soon as possible after the record and briefs have been filed and shall issue its decision within 14 days of the decision of the Superior Court. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. B, §6 (AMD).] D. A candidate whose certification as a Maine Clean Election Act candidate is reversed on appeal must return to the commission any unspent revenues distributed from the fund. If the commission or court finds that an appeal was made frivolously or to cause delay or hardship, the commission or court may require the moving party to pay costs of the commission, court and opposing parties, if any. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. B, §6 (AMD).] [PL 2011, c. 389, §59 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 824 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 824
21-A §824. Challenge of right to vote
Status: in_force

A voter who is challenged in a voting precinct where voting machines are used may not use the voting machine for casting that voter's vote, but must use an official paper ballot. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §66 (COR).]
21-A M.R.S. § 629 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 629
21-A §629. Voting booths
Status: in_force

Voting booths are governed by the following provisions. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1. Provided by municipality. The municipal officers of each municipality shall provide a sufficient number of voting booths for each election. Those municipalities using voting machines must comply with section 811, subsection 4 . A. In a general election, the municipal officers in each municipality must provide at least one voting booth for each 200, or fraction exceeding 1/2 of that number, of the qualified voters in each voting place. For purposes of this paragraph, "qualified voters" does not include voters who have been designated as inactive as a result of voter list maintenance procedures. [PL 2003, c. 407, §17 (AMD).] A-1. In every election, the municipal officers shall provide at least one voting booth in each voting place that is accessible for persons with disabilities. The accessible voting booth may be used to meet the minimum requirements under paragraph A , except that it may not be the only voting booth used at the voting place. [PL 2025, c. 397, §37 (AMD).] B. In other than a general election, the municipal officers may provide fewer voting booths than required by paragraph A when circumstances indicate that fewer booths will be adequate to provide for an orderly flow of voters on election day. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] C. In any election, the municipal officers may provide more than the number of voting booths required by paragraph A . [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] D. A reasonable time before a general election, the Secretary of State shall notify the clerk of each municipality of the requirements of this subsection. The clerk shall calculate the number of voting booths required at each voting place based on the number of voters registered at that time. Within 10 days after receiving the notice, the clerk shall certify in writing to the Secretary of State the number of voters registered at each voting place and the number of voting booths the municipality will provide at each voting place for the election. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] D-1. [PL 2011, c. 342, §19 (RP).] E. The Secretary of State may arrange for inspections to ensure that municipalities comply with this subsection. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 397, §37 (AMD).]

2. Voting machines. In municipalities which have voting machines, the municipal officers must also provide sufficient voting booths and paper ballots to ensure adequate voting facilities. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

3. Described. Each booth must have within it a pencil or marker without an eraser and a shelf on which a voter may mark a ballot conveniently. An instruction poster provided under section 605‑A, subsection 2 must be securely placed above the shelf to assist the voter. Each booth must have back and side panels large enough to screen the voter from the observation of others. [PL 2011, c. 342, §20 (AMD).]

4. Booth for the visually impaired. The clerk shall equip at least one of the voting booths at the voting place with an enlarged instruction poster, a magnifying device and an adjustable lamp for improved lighting. The clerk may also equip the voting booth with an enlarged sample ballot at the clerk's own discretion. The voting station provided by the State along with the accessible voting device may be used to meet the requirements of this subsection. The voting station may not be used at the voting place for purposes other than voting. [PL 2025, c. 397, §38 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1062-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1062-A
21-A §1062-A. Failure to file on time
Status: in_force

1. Registration. A political action committee required to register under section 1052‑A , 1053‑A or 1053‑B or a ballot question committee required to register under section 1053‑A that fails to do so or that fails to provide the information required by the commission for registration may be assessed a fine of no more than $2,500. In assessing a fine, the commission shall consider, among other things, whether the violation was intentional, the amount of campaign and financial activity that occurred before the committee registered, whether the committee intended to conceal its campaign or financial activity and the level of experience of the committee's volunteers and staff. [PL 2023, c. 405, Pt. A, §47 (AMD).]

2. Campaign finance reports. A campaign finance report is not timely filed unless a properly signed or electronically submitted copy of the report, substantially conforming to the disclosure requirements of this subchapter, is received by the commission by 11:59 p.m. on the date it is due. Except as provided in subsection 6 , the commission shall determine whether a required report satisfies the requirements for timely filing. The commission may waive a penalty in whole or in part if it is disproportionate to the level of experience of the person filing the report or to the harm suffered by the public from the late disclosure. The commission may waive the penalty in whole or in part if the commission determines the failure to file a timely report was due to mitigating circumstances. For purposes of this section, "mitigating circumstances" means: A. A valid emergency of the committee treasurer determined by the commission, in the interest of the sound administration of justice, to warrant the waiver of the penalty in whole or in part; [PL 1999, c. 729, §9 (AMD).] B. An error by the commission staff; or [PL 1999, c. 729, §9 (AMD).] C. Other circumstances determined by the commission that warrant mitigation of the penalty, based upon relevant evidence presented that a bona fide effort was made to file the report in accordance with the statutory requirements, including, but not limited to, unexplained delays in postal service or interruptions in Internet service. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §38 (AMD).] [PL 2009, c. 190, Pt. A, §29 (AMD).]

3. Basis for penalties. The penalty for late filing of a report required under this subchapter is a percentage of the total contributions or expenditures for the filing period, whichever is greater, multiplied by the number of calendar days late, as follows: A. For the first violation, 2%; [IB 2015, c. 1, §9 (AMD).] B. For the 2nd violation, 4%; and [IB 2015, c. 1, §9 (AMD).] C. For the 3rd and subsequent violations, 6%. [IB 2015, c. 1, §9 (AMD).] Any penalty of less than $25 is waived. Violations accumulate on reports with filing deadlines in a 2-year period that begins on January 1st of each even-numbered calendar year. Waiver of a penalty does not nullify the finding of a violation. A report required to be filed under this subchapter that is sent by certified or registered United States mail and postmarked at least 2 days before the deadline is not subject to penalty. [PL 2023, c. 324, §16 (AMD).]

4. Maximum penalties. The maximum penalty under this subchapter is $10,000 for reports required under section 1053‑A or 1059 , except that if the dollar amount of the financial activity that was not timely filed or did not substantially conform to the reporting requirements of this subchapter exceeds $50,000, the maximum penalty is 100% of the dollar amount of that financial activity. [PL 2023, c. 405, Pt. A, §48 (AMD).]

5. Request for commission determination. If a committee files a report required under this subchapter late, a notice of preliminary penalty must be forwarded to the treasurer of the committee whose report is not received by 11:59 p.m. on the deadline date informing the treasurer of the commission staff finding of violation and preliminary penalty calculated under subsection 3 and providing the treasurer with an opportunity to request a determination by the commission. A request for determination must be made within 14 calendar days of receipt of the commission's notice. A principal officer or treasurer requesting a determination may either appear in person or designate a representative to appear on the principal officer's or treasurer's behalf or submit a sworn statement explaining the mitigating circumstances for consideration by the commission. 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 2025, c. 224, §25 (AMD).]

6. Final notice of penalty. After a commission meeting, notice of the final determination of the commission and the penalty, if any, imposed pursuant to this subchapter must be sent to the principal officer and the treasurer of the committee. If a determination is not requested, the preliminary penalty calculated by the commission staff is final. The commission staff shall mail final notice of the penalty to the principal officer and to the treasurer of the committee. A detailed summary of all notices must be provided to the commission. [PL 2019, c. 563, §21 (AMD).]

7. List of late-filing committees. [PL 2025, c. 224, §26 (RP).]

8. Penalties for failure to file report. If the commission staff finds that a committee or other person has failed to file a report required under this subchapter, the commission staff shall send by regular mail and e-mail a notice to the committee treasurer or other responsible officer within 3 business days following the filing deadline informing the committee treasurer or other responsible officer that the report has not been received. If the report remains unfiled after 10 days, the commission staff shall send another notice by regular mail and e-mail. If the committee or other person has not filed the report after these 2 notices, commission staff may refer the violation to the commission, which may, after providing notice and an opportunity to be heard, determine whether a violation has occurred and, if so, the amount of any penalty. The maximum penalty for failure to file a report required under section 1059 is $10,000 or the amount of financial activity not reported, whichever is greater. A person who fails to file a report as required by this subchapter after the commission has sent the first 2 notices required in this subsection is guilty of a Class E crime, except that, if a penalty is assessed pursuant to this subsection and collected by the commission, the State may not prosecute a violation under this subsection. [PL 2025, c. 224, §27 (RPR).]

8-A. Penalties for failure to file report. [PL 2025, c. 224, §28 (RP).]

9. Enforcement. A penalty assessed pursuant to this section that has 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, §10 (RPR).]
21-A M.R.S. § 181 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 181
21-A §181. Designated agencies
Status: in_force

1. Designated voter registration agencies. The designated voter registration agencies pursuant to NVRA include, but are not limited to: A. Inside agencies that include the Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions and Bureau of Motor Vehicles; and [PL 1993, c. 695, §20 (NEW).] B. Outside agencies, or their successors, which include the following: (1) The offices within the Department of Health and Human Services that administer: (a) The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program under Title 22, chapter 1053‑B ; (b) The Women, Infants and Children Special Supplemental Food Program of the United States Child Nutrition Act of 1966; (c) The federal Medicaid program; (d) The Children's Health Insurance Program under Title 22, section 3174‑T ; (e) The transitional child care services under a program of transitional support services under Title 22, section 3762 ; (f) The transitional transportation benefits under a program of transitional support services under Title 22, section 3762 ; (g) The Higher Opportunity for Pathways for Employment Program under Title 22, section 3790‑A ; (h) The Bridging Rental Assistance Program under Title 34‑B, section 3011 ; (i) A developmental services advocacy program administered by a statewide organization for disability rights; (j) A mental health advocacy program; (k) The children's advocacy centers; and (l) The statewide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program under Title 22, section 3104; (2) The uniformed service recruitment offices; (3) The public high schools; (4) The offices of municipal clerks and registrars; and (5) The offices within the Department of Labor, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services that administer: (a) Vocational rehabilitation services; (b) Independent living services; (c) Deaf, hard of hearing and late deafened identification cards and vehicle placards; and (d) Deaf, hard of hearing and late deafened telecommunications equipment services. [PL 2025, c. 397, §9 (AMD).] [PL 2025, c. 397, §9 (AMD).]

2. Voter registration. [PL 2025, c. 397, §10 (RP).]
21-A M.R.S. § 236 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 236
21-A §236. Nondiscrimination
Status: in_force

A person acting under color of law may not discriminate against an individual on the basis of the individual's absence from the central voter registration system, the information supplied by the individual for voter registration purposes at a source agency or the individual's declining to supply such information, except as required to administer elections or enforce the laws against election crimes. [PL 2019, c. 409, §6 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1001 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1001
21-A §1001. Definitions
Status: in_force

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

1. Commission. "Commission" means the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices established under Title 1, section 1002 . [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1-A. Caucus political action committee. "Caucus political action committee" means a political action committee designated under section 1053‑C to promote the election of nominees of a political party to the Senate or the House of Representatives. [PL 2019, c. 635, §2 (NEW).]

2. Election. "Election" means any primary, general or special election for state or county office or municipal office in a municipality subject to Title 30‑A, section 2502, subsection 1 and any referendum, including a municipal referendum in a municipality subject to Title 30‑A, section 2502, subsection 2 . [PL 2019, c. 323, §2 (AMD).]

3. Person. "Person" means an individual, committee, firm, partnership, corporation, association or organization. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §1 (AMD).]

4. Public communication. "Public communication" means a communication to the public by means of broadcast, cable or satellite communication; newspapers, direct mail, handbills or other printed literature; campaign signs or other outdoor advertising facilities; and prerecorded automated telephone calls or other types of general public political advertising. For the purposes of this subsection, "general public political advertising" does not include communication over the Internet, except for communications placed or promoted for a fee on another person's website, digital device, application or advertising platform. [PL 2025, c. 224, §1 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 374-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 374-A
21-A §374-A.  General election candidates; vacancy
Status: in_force

1. Vacancy and replacement of nominees. The Secretary of State shall declare the vacancy as provided in section 362‑A and a political committee may make a replacement nomination for the general election only if a person nominated for an office at a primary election or by a political committee: A. Withdraws on or before 5 p.m. of the 2nd Monday in July preceding the general election in accordance with section 367 ; [PL 2011, c. 342, §12 (AMD).] B. Withdraws because of a catastrophic illness, condition or injury that has permanently and continuously incapacitated the candidate and would prevent performance of the duties of the office sought, as long as the candidate or a member of the candidate's immediate family files with the Secretary of State a certificate accompanying the withdrawal request that describes the illness, condition or injury and is signed by a licensed physician; or [PL 2015, c. 447, §12 (AMD).] C. Dies prior to the general election. [PL 1989, c. 341, §2 (NEW).] [PL 2019, c. 636, §9 (AMD).]

2. Deadline for replacement of nominee. A political committee may make a replacement nomination for the general election: A. No later than 5 p.m. of the 4th Monday in July preceding the general election for a candidate who has withdrawn in accordance with subsection 1, paragraph A ; or [PL 1993, c. 447, §5 (AMD).] B. As soon as practicable for a candidate who withdraws or is withdrawn in accordance with subsection 1, paragraph B or C . [PL 1989, c. 341, §2 (NEW).] [PL 2019, c. 636, §9 (AMD).]

2-A. Ballot procedure for replacement candidates. If a political party makes a replacement nomination for the general election by the deadline established in subsection 2 , the Secretary of State shall produce new general election ballots or amend or supplement general election ballots already printed in accordance with section 376 or 604 . [PL 2019, c. 636, §9 (NEW).]

3. Deadline for removal of candidate's name from general election ballot. Removal of a candidate's name from the general election ballot is determined in accordance with this subsection. A. The name of a candidate for an office on the general election ballot who withdraws for any reason 70 days or more before the general election must be removed from the ballot. [PL 2025, c. 363, §4 (NEW).] B. If a candidate for an office on the general election ballot withdraws less than 70 days before the general election and meets the criteria of subsection 1, paragraph B or C , the candidate's name must be removed from the general election ballot in accordance with section 376, subsection 1‑A or the general election ballot must be amended or supplemented in accordance with section 604 . [PL 2025, c. 363, §4 (NEW).] C. If a candidate for an office on the general election ballot withdraws less than 70 days before the general election and does not meet the criteria of subsection 1, paragraph B or C , the candidate's name will not be removed from the ballot, but upon receipt of the notice of withdrawal required by section 367 , 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 a candidate's withdrawal less than 70 days before the general election 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, §4 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 363, §4 (RPR).]
21-A M.R.S. § 351 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 351
21-A §351. Nomination authorized
Status: in_force

The nomination of a candidate, other than by a party, for any federal, state or county office must be made by petition, as provided in this subchapter. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1. Limited to one office. A person may not file, whether by primary election or nomination petition, as a candidate for more than one federal, state or county office at any election, except as provided in subsection 3 . [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

2. Limited to one method. A person may file as a candidate for any federal, state or county office either by primary election or nomination petition, except as provided in subsection 3 , but not by both methods. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

3. Exception. A candidate for membership in a county charter commission must be nominated by petition, and may file as a candidate for one additional federal, state or county office at that same election. A candidate for presidential elector may also file as a candidate for one additional federal, state or county office at that same election. [PL 1997, c. 436, §49 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 683 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 683
21-A §683. Regulated activities at voting place
Status: in_force

Certain activities at the voting place on election day are regulated as follows. [PL 2025, c. 397, §43 (NEW).]

1. Pollwatching. The warden shall allow at least one worker from each political party to remain outside the guardrail enclosure as a pollwatcher. If the municipality uses an incoming voting list for a voting place that is divided into separate segments by voting district or by the alphabetic listing of voters' names, the warden must allow at least one worker from each political party to remain outside the guardrail enclosure as a pollwatcher at each separate segment of the voting list. [PL 2025, c. 397, §43 (NEW).]

2. Signature gathering. The warden may select and designate a specific location at the voting place, accessible and observable by the voters, where the collection of signatures may take place. Persons collecting signatures at the polls may make arrangements with the clerk prior to election day and with the warden on election day. The warden may limit the number of persons collecting signatures to one for each specific question, candidate or issue. Persons collecting signatures may not solicit a voter's signature until the voter has completed voting. The warden may limit or disallow signature gathering as may be necessary to prevent violations of section 682 . The warden may direct the removal, under section 662, subsection 2, paragraph A , of any person collecting signatures who does not comply with the requirements of this subsection. [PL 2025, c. 397, §43 (NEW).]

3. Charitable activities. Nonpolitical charitable activities and other nonpolitical advertising may be allowed at the discretion of the clerk if arrangements are made prior to election day. If arrangements are not made in advance of election day, the warden may, at the warden's discretion, either allow or prohibit nonpolitical charitable activities and other nonpolitical advertising. [PL 2025, c. 397, §43 (NEW).]

4. Party workers and observers. The warden may allow the presence outside the guardrail enclosure of party workers in addition to those authorized by subsection 1 and other observers if there is sufficient space at the voting place. If the space at the voting place is so limited that the presence of the additional party workers and other observers would interfere with the election process, the warden shall prohibit their presence. [PL 2025, c. 397, §43 (NEW).]

5. Photography and video recording. A person video recording or engaging in still photography in the voting place or in the location where voter registration is occurring must remain outside the guardrail enclosure and may not conduct video recording or still photography closer than 15 feet from a voter being video recorded or photographed, including when a voter is where a person is collecting voters' signatures, except that a person may take a still photograph that depicts only the person taking the photograph. A person who video records or photographs a voter in violation of this subsection may be removed from the voting place by the municipal clerk at the recommendation of the warden as provided in section 662, subsection 2 . [PL 2025, c. 397, §43 (NEW).]

6. Registration and enrollment drives. Except for the registrar, clerk or other municipal official authorized to accept and process voter registration applications, a person may not distribute or collect voter registration applications inside the voting place or on public property within 250 feet of the entrance to the voting place. [PL 2025, c. 397, §43 (NEW).]

7. Other prohibited activities. If a person attempts to influence voters or interfere with their free passage, the warden shall have the person removed from the voting place. [PL 2025, c. 397, §43 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1014-B — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1014-B
21-A §1014-B. Push polling
Status: in_force

1. Push poll defined. For purposes of this section, "push poll" means any paid telephone survey or series of telephone surveys that are similar in nature that reference a candidate or group of candidates other than in a basic preference question, and when: A. A list or directory is used, exclusively or in part, to select respondents belonging to a particular subset or combination of subsets of the population, based on demographic or political characteristics such as race, sex, age, ethnicity, party affiliation or like characteristics; [PL 2001, c. 416, §1 (NEW).] B. The survey fails to make demographic inquiries on factors such as age, household income or status as a likely voter sufficient to allow for the tabulation of results based on a relevant subset of the population consistent with standard polling industry practices; [PL 2001, c. 416, §1 (NEW).] C. The pollster or polling organization does not collect or tabulate survey results; [PL 2001, c. 416, §1 (NEW).] D. The survey prefaces a question regarding support for a candidate on the basis of an untrue statement; and [PL 2001, c. 416, §1 (NEW).] E. The survey is primarily for the purpose of suppressing or changing the voting position of the call recipient. [PL 2001, c. 416, §1 (NEW).] "Push poll" does not include any survey supporting a particular candidate that fails to reference another candidate or candidates other than in a basic preference question. [PL 2001, c. 416, §1 (NEW).]

2. Push polls; political telephone solicitations; requirements. Push polling must be conducted in accordance with this subsection. A. A person may not authorize, commission, conduct or administer a push poll by telephone or telephonic device unless, during each call, the caller identifies the person or organization sponsoring or authorizing the call by stating "This is a paid political advertisement by (name of persons or organizations)," and identifies the organization making the call, if different from the sponsor, by stating "This call is conducted by (name of organization)." [PL 2001, c. 416, §1 (NEW).] B. If any person identified as either sponsoring or authorizing the call is not required to file any document with election officials pursuant to this Title, a valid, current, publicly listed telephone number and address for the person or organization must be disclosed during each call. [PL 2001, c. 416, §1 (NEW).] C. If any person sponsoring or authorizing the call is affiliated with a candidate, the candidate's name and the office sought by that candidate must be disclosed during each call. [PL 2001, c. 416, §1 (NEW).] D. If the call is an independent expenditure, as defined in section 1019‑B , that a candidate has not approved the call must be disclosed during each call. [PL 2003, c. 448, §1 (AMD).] It is not a violation of this subsection if the respondent voluntarily terminates the call or asks to be called back before the required disclosures are made, unless the respondent is in any way encouraged to do so by the person initiating the call. A person may not state or imply false or fictitious names or telephone numbers when providing the disclosures required under this subsection. All oral disclosures required by this subsection must be made in a clear and intelligible manner and must be repeated in that fashion upon request of the call respondent. Disclosures made by any telephonic device must offer respondents a procedure to have the disclosures repeated. This subsection does not apply to a push poll or political telephone solicitation or contact if the individuals participating in the call know each other prior to the call. A person who violates this subsection may be assessed a forfeiture of $500 by the commission. [PL 2003, c. 448, §1 (AMD).]

3. Registered agents; requirements; registration. Persons conducting push polling shall register and comply with the requirements of this subsection. A. A person who conducts a paid push poll or political telephone solicitation or contact, prior to conducting that poll, solicitation or contact, must have and continuously maintain for at least 180 days following the cessation of business activities in this State a designated agent for the purpose of service of process, notice or demand required or permitted by law, and shall file with the commission identification of that designated agent. Conducting business in this State includes both placing telephone calls from a location in this State and calls from other states or nations to individuals located within this State. The designated agent must be an individual resident of this State, a domestic corporation or a foreign corporation authorized to do business in this State. This paragraph does not apply to any entity already lawfully registered to conduct business in this State. [PL 2001, c. 416, §1 (NEW).] B. The commission shall create and maintain forms for the designation of agents required pursuant to paragraph A and require, at a minimum, the following information: (1) The name, address and telephone number of the designated agent; and (2) The name, address and telephone number of the person conducting business in this State. [PL 2001, c. 416, §1 (NEW).] C. The person conducting push polling shall notify the commission of any changes in the designated agent and the information required by paragraph B . [PL 2001, c. 416, §1 (NEW).] D. A person who violates this subsection may be assessed a forfeiture of $500 by the commission. [PL 2001, c. 416, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2001, c. 416, §1 (NEW).]

4. Permitted practices. This section does not prohibit legitimate election practices, including but not limited to: A. Voter identification; [PL 2001, c. 416, §1 (NEW).] B. Voter facilitation activities; or [PL 2001, c. 416, §1 (NEW).] C. Generally accepted scientific polling research. [PL 2001, c. 416, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2001, c. 416, §1 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 756-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 756-A
21-A §756-A. Procedures for curing absentee ballot return envelope defects
Status: in_force

1. Notice to voters. If the clerk determines that there is a defect on the absentee ballot return envelope described in section 756, subsection 2, paragraph B and the absentee voter provided a telephone number or e-mail address with the voter’s absentee ballot application, the clerk shall notify the voter of the defect and explain that the ballot may be rejected or challenged unless the defect is cured as provided in this section. The clerk must notify the voter within one business day of receiving the absentee ballot, unless the absentee ballot is received on election day or less than 24 hours before election day, in which case the clerk shall make a good faith effort to notify the voter as quickly as possible. Notification must be made by telephone if the absentee voter provided a telephone number on the voter’s absentee ballot application. If the clerk attempts to notify the voter by telephone but does not speak directly with the voter, the clerk shall leave a voice mail message if available and shall notify the voter by e-mail, using the e-mail address provided on the absentee ballot application, if any. If the voter did not provide a telephone number on the absentee ballot application, the clerk shall notify the voter by e-mail, using the e-mail address provided on the absentee ballot application, if any. [PL 2021, c. 273, §23 (NEW).]

2. Mismatched voter signatures. If the voter's signature on the return envelope does not appear to have been made by the same person who signed the absentee voter application and this discrepancy does not appear to be the result of the voter's having properly obtained assistance under either section 753‑A, subsection 5 or section 754‑A, subsection 3 , or both, the following procedures apply. A. The voter may cure the defect in person or by telephone by self-identifying by name, date of birth and residence address and confirming that the voter requested an absentee ballot, the voter or the voter's aide under section 754‑A, subsection 3 placed the absentee ballot in the return envelope and the voter personally signed the return envelope. If the voter confirms this information in person or by telephone before the deadline for returning absentee ballots under section 755 , the clerk shall accept the ballot without challenge and make a notation on the return envelope that the voter confirmed by telephone that the voter personally signed the return envelope. [PL 2021, c. 273, §23 (NEW).] B. If the voter does not cure the defect under the procedure in paragraph A before the deadline for returning absentee ballots under section 755 , the clerk shall accept the ballot but challenge it pursuant to section 673, subsection 1 . [PL 2021, c. 273, §23 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 273, §23 (NEW).]

3. Missing voter signature. If the voter’s signature does not appear on the return envelope, the following procedures apply. A. The voter may cure the defect in person at the clerk's office by self-identifying by name, date of birth and residence address and either signing the original return envelope or removing the absentee ballot from the original return envelope, inspecting the absentee ballot, sealing the absentee ballot in a new return envelope and signing the new return envelope. If the voter cures the defect as provided in this paragraph before the deadline for returning absentee ballots under section 755, the clerk shall accept the absentee ballot without challenge. [PL 2021, c. 273, §23 (NEW).] B. The voter may cure the defect by telephone by self-identifying by name, date of birth and residence address and confirming that the voter requested an absentee ballot and the voter or the voter’s aide under section 754‑A, subsection 3 placed the absentee ballot in the return envelope. If the voter confirms this information, by telephone, before the deadline for returning absentee ballots under section 755 , the clerk shall accept the ballot but challenge it pursuant to section 673, subsection 1 . [PL 2021, c. 273, §23 (NEW).] C. If the voter does not cure the defect under the procedures in paragraph A or B before the deadline for returning absentee ballots under section 755 , the clerk shall reject the ballot in accordance with section 759, subsection 3 . [PL 2021, c. 273, §23 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 273, §23 (NEW).]

4. Aide or witness certification incomplete. If an aide-executed affidavit or aide or witness certification on a return envelope that is required under section 754‑A, subsection 1, paragraph C , subsection 2, paragraph C or subsection 3, paragraph E is unsigned, incomplete or improperly completed, the following procedures apply. A. The voter may contact the voter's aide or witness and request that the aide or witness cure the defect by appearing in person at the clerk's office and properly completing the affidavit or witness certification. If the aide or witness corrects the affidavit or witness certification as provided in this paragraph before the deadline for returning absentee ballots under section 755 , the clerk shall accept the absentee ballot without challenge. [PL 2021, c. 273, §23 (NEW).] B. The voter may cure the defect by telephone by self-identifying by name, date of birth and residence address, confirming that the voter requested an absentee ballot and explaining whether a 3rd person other than the voter's immediate family member delivered or returned the absentee ballot or whether the voter received the assistance of an aide as described in section 754‑A, subsection 3 in reading, marking or placing the ballot in the return envelope. If the voter provides the information required by this paragraph, by telephone, before the deadline for returning absentee ballots under section 755 , the clerk shall accept the ballot but challenge it pursuant to section 673, subsection 1 . [PL 2021, c. 273, §23 (NEW).] C. If the voter does not cure the defect under the procedures in paragraph A or B before the deadline for returning absentee ballots under section 755 , the clerk shall reject the ballot in accordance with section 759, subsection 3 . [PL 2021, c. 273, §23 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 273, §23 (NEW).]

5. Duplicate ballot. Notwithstanding section 753‑B, subsection 4 , a voter who receives notification of a defect on the voter’s absentee ballot return envelope under subsection 1 may, instead of curing the defect pursuant to subsections 2 to 4 , request that the clerk issue a 2nd absentee ballot to the voter. If a request for a 2nd absentee ballot is made under this subsection, the following procedures apply. A. The clerk shall reject the first absentee ballot in accordance with section 759, subsection 3 . [PL 2021, c. 273, §23 (NEW).] B. The clerk shall write "second ballot issued" on the 2nd absentee ballot return envelope and include with the 2nd absentee ballot written instructions for signing and completing the affidavit and witness certification on the return envelope and a written notice identifying the problem with the voter’s first absentee ballot return envelope. [PL 2021, c. 273, §23 (NEW).] C. The voter may request that the clerk issue the 2nd absentee ballot to the voter in person at the clerk’s office; by mail to the address listed on the original absentee ballot application or on a new written absentee ballot application submitted by the voter; or to an immediate family member or a 3rd person listed on the original absentee ballot application or on a new written absentee ballot application submitted by the voter. If the voter does not indicate a preferred method for issuing the 2nd absentee ballot, the clerk shall issue the 2nd absentee ballot by mail to the address listed on the original absentee ballot application. [PL 2021, c. 273, §23 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 273, §23 (NEW).]

6. Challenged ballots; hearing not required. The clerk is not required to conduct the hearing described in section 673, subsection 7 when a clerk accepts but challenges an absentee ballot under this section. [PL 2021, c. 273, §23 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 504 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 7 / Section 504
21-A §504. Persons ineligible to serve
Status: in_force

The following may not serve as election officials: [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1. Certain employees. An employee of a party or candidate; [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

2. Direct pecuniary interest. A person having a direct pecuniary interest in the result of a referendum question; or [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

3. Candidate and certain relatives. A candidate or member of the candidate's immediate family, in the electoral division from which the candidate seeks election. A. This subsection does not apply to a candidate for warden or ward clerk or the immediate family of the candidate for warden or ward clerk. [PL 1993, c. 447, §9 (AMD).] B. This subsection does not apply to municipalities with a population of less than 500. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §51 (COR).]
21-A M.R.S. § 760-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 760-A
21-A §760-A. Procedures when clerk processes absentee ballots centrally
Status: in_force

The clerk shall use the following procedure when processing the absentee ballots at a central location. [PL 1995, c. 459, §82 (NEW).]

1. Envelopes retained. The clerk shall retain possession of return absentee envelopes with the applications attached, where required, and the list required by section 753‑B, subsection 6 . [PL 2001, c. 310, §57 (AMD).]

2. Ballot boxes provided. The municipality shall provide an official ballot box to be used by the clerk in all state elections. [PL 1995, c. 459, §82 (NEW).]

3. Incoming voting list to be marked. The clerk shall have the incoming voting list marked to denote absentee voters prior to processing the absentee ballots. A. The municipal clerk shall use one of the following procedures to mark the incoming voting list for absentee ballots received prior to election day, except that a clerk who is in a contested election for the office of clerk must follow the procedures specified in subparagraph (2) when marking the incoming voting list for absentee ballots received prior to election day. (1) On the day immediately preceding, the municipal clerk shall mark the incoming voting list with an "AV" beside the name of each voter who has voted by absentee ballot as of that date. The municipal clerk shall keep the marked list and shall send a copy of the marked list to the polls with the incoming voting list; or (2) On election day, at or prior to the times the municipal clerk has designated under section 759, subsection 7 for processing absentee ballots, the municipal clerk shall make a separate list, by voting place, of all absentee ballots received to date. The clerk shall deliver each list, in duplicate, to the warden at the appropriate voting place. The warden and an election clerk shall compare the list of absentee voters with the incoming voting list and shall mark the incoming voting list with an "AV" beside the name of each voter who has voted by absentee ballot. The warden and the election clerk shall then certify on each copy of the absentee voting list that they marked the incoming voting list as described in this paragraph. The warden shall then retain one copy of the absentee voter list with the incoming voting list and deliver the 2nd copy to the municipal clerk. The municipal clerk shall follow this process on election day as often as needed to mark the incoming voting lists to account for all absentee ballots. [PL 1995, c. 459, §82 (NEW).] B. In a municipality that has an island voting district, the municipal clerk may communicate the information required to process the absentee ballots by telephone to the island warden and notify the island warden of the names of the absentee voters so that the incoming voting list may be marked in accordance with this subchapter. [PL 2005, c. 453, §59 (AMD).] [PL 2005, c. 453, §59 (AMD).]

4. Counting procedure. After the incoming voting list has been marked according to the procedures in subsection 3 , the municipal clerk shall then proceed to process the absentee ballots using the procedures set forth in sections 759 and 762 at the next time scheduled under section 759, subsection 7 . The ballots must be processed publicly so that all those present may observe the proceedings. [PL 2007, c. 455, §44 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 609 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 609
21-A §609. Ballot security materials
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State shall furnish each municipality with tamper-proof ballot security containers that are equipped with a suitable method of securing the ballots against tampering, which must be used for securing used ballots and other election materials for statewide elections conducted under this Title. If a state-supplied container or security mechanism becomes defective, lost or destroyed, the clerk must apply in writing to the Secretary of State for a replacement. The Secretary of State shall supply or approve a replacement at the expense of the municipality. If a municipality wishes to use a tamper‑proof ballot security container to seal municipal election ballots and materials, that municipality must obtain the container and security mechanism at its own expense. [PL 2019, c. 371, §17 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 232 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 232
21-A §232. Automatic registration by the bureau
Status: in_force

1. Application for driver's license or nondriver identification card; creation of pending voter registration record. If an individual applies for, renews or updates a driver's license or nondriver identification card from the bureau, unless the individual opts out under section 234 , the bureau shall record the documentation provided by the individual that provides proof of voter eligibility and create a pending voter registration record for that individual, which must be stored electronically in the bureau's database. The pending voter registration record and the record of the accompanying documentation must be in a searchable, auditable format. [PL 2021, c. 273, §3 (AMD).]

2. Proof of citizenship. If an individual in the course of business with the bureau provides a document that proves the individual is a United States citizen, the pending voter registration record of that individual in the bureau's database must indicate that the individual has fulfilled the citizenship eligibility requirement for the purpose of registering to vote. [PL 2019, c. 409, §6 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).]

3. Electronic transmission of voter registration data. Unless the individual has opted out of automatic voter registration as provided in section 234 , if an individual's pending voter registration record establishes voter eligibility, the bureau shall transmit electronically the individual's pending voter registration record to the applicable registrar of voters in a format that may be reviewed by the registrar and converted and uploaded into the central voter registration system. [PL 2019, c. 409, §6 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).]

4. Registration of individual or update of individual's registration record. The registrar of voters shall determine whether an individual whose pending voter registration record was transmitted under subsection 3 is eligible to and registered to vote in the central voter registration system. If the individual is eligible to vote but is not registered in the central voter registration system, the registrar shall enter the individual's information into the central voter registration system. If the individual is registered to vote, the registrar shall enter any changes to the address or name of the individual in the central voter registration system to ensure that the voting lists are kept current. [PL 2019, c. 409, §6 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 409, §9 (AFF).]

5. Implementation. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the bureau may conduct the activities in subsections 1 to 3 beginning January 1, 2022 but is not required to comply with the requirements of subsections 1 to 3 until June 1, 2022. [PL 2021, c. 273, §4 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 273, §30 (AFF).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 1 / Section 1
21-A §1. Definitions
Status: in_force

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

1. Absentee voter. "Absentee voter" means a person who qualifies under section 751 to cast an absentee ballot. [PL 1997, c. 436, §1 (AMD).]

1-A. Affidavit. "Affidavit" with respect to an absentee ballot envelope means the portion of the envelope that includes the voter's signature, the aide certificate and the witness certificate. [PL 2003, c. 447, §1 (NEW).]

2. Any election. "Any election" means primary and general elections and referenda, whether regular or special. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

2-A. Armed Forces members; members of the Armed Forces. [PL 2003, c. 407, §1 (RP).]

3. Ballot label. "Ballot label" means that portion of the cardboard, paper or other material to be placed within the ballot frames of a voting machine containing the items required of a paper ballot. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

3-A. Ballot question committee. "Ballot question committee" has the same meaning as in section 1052, subsection 2‑A . [PL 2021, c. 217, §1 (AMD).]

4. Business day. "Business day" means any day of the calendar year other than a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

5. Candidate. "Candidate" means any person who has filed a petition under either sections 335 and 336 or sections 354 and 355 and has qualified as a candidate by either procedure, or any person who has received contributions or made expenditures or has given consent for any other person to receive contributions or make expenditures with the intent of qualifying as a candidate. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §26 (COR).]

6. Caucus. "Caucus" means a meeting of a political party or committee. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

6-A. Central voter registration system. "Central voter registration system" means a single electronic information system and database for voter registration information maintained by the Secretary of State and used by all municipal jurisdictions in the State. [PL 2005, c. 453, §1 (AMD).]

7. Challenged ballot. "Challenged ballot" means a ballot cast by one whose eligibility to vote has been questioned during election day. [PL 2003, c. 447, §2 (AMD).]

8. Circulate. "Circulate" means the presenting of a petition to a voter with an accompanying request that the voter sign it. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

9. Clerk; municipal clerk. "Clerk" or "municipal clerk" means the clerk, deputy clerk or assistant clerk, where directed by the clerk to carry out duties under this Title, of a municipality. [PL 1985, c. 357, §1 (AMD).]

10. Closed period. "Closed period" means that time period when the registrar may accept only those voter registration applications presented in person or transmitted pursuant to section 232 or 233 by the deadline specified in section 121‑A . [PL 2025, c. 397, §1 (AMD).]

11. County office. "County office" means the office of judge of probate, register of probate, county treasurer, register of deeds, sheriff, district attorney or county commissioner. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

11-A. Declared write-in candidate. "Declared write-in candidate" means a write-in candidate who has filed a declaration to be a write-in candidate pursuant to section 722‑A . [PL 2009, c. 253, §1 (NEW).]

12. Disputed ballot. "Disputed ballot" means a ballot whose validity has been questioned during the recount process. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

13. Distinguishing mark. "Distinguishing mark" means a mark on a ballot of a type or in a place not specifically permitted by this Title, which indicates the apparent intent of the voter to make the voter's ballot distinguishable in a manner that is fraudulent or inconsistent with an honest purpose. A stray mark on the ballot or mark made on or in the voting indicator or near the candidate's name or space for a write-in candidate that differs from the instructions at the top of the ballot is not a distinguishing mark unless it is of such a character or is made in such a manner that it manifests an intent to make the ballot distinguishable for a fraudulent or dishonest purpose. Marking the write-in space on a ballot with the name of a fictitious person, a deceased person or a person from outside the State who could not be a candidate for that office is not a distinguishing mark unless it is made in such a manner that manifests an intent to make the ballot distinguishable for a fraudulent or dishonest purpose. [PL 2005, c. 404, §1 (AMD).]

13-A. Domestic partner. [PL 2021, c. 567, §18 (RP).]

14. Election official. "Election official" means a warden, ward clerk, deputy warden or election clerk. [PL 1997, c. 436, §2 (AMD).]

15. Election year. "Election year" means the calendar year within which a particular election is held. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

16. Electoral division. "Electoral division" means an area set off for election purposes. It may include the entire State. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

17. Enroll. "Enroll" means to enlist as a member of a political party. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

18. Federal office. "Federal office" means the office of the United States Senator or Representative to Congress. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

19. General election. "General election" means the regular election of state and county officials occurring biennially in November. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

20. Immediate family. "Immediate family" means a person's spouse, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sister, half-sister, brother, half-brother, stepparent, stepgrandparent, stepchild, stepgrandchild, stepsister, stepbrother, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, guardian, former guardian, domestic partner, the half-brother or half-sister of a person's spouse, or the spouse of a person's half-brother or half-sister. [PL 2009, c. 253, §2 (AMD).]

21. Incoming voting list. "Incoming voting list" means the printed list of all of the voters in a municipality that is used by election officials at a voting place to record which voters have been issued a ballot at an election. The list must include the following information for each voter and may not include any other information: name; year of birth; residence address; enrollment status; electoral district; voter status, active or inactive; voter record number; designations regarding challenged ballots, absentee ballots or whether a voter needs to show identification before voting; and any special designations indicating uniformed service voters, overseas voters or township voters. The portion of the incoming voting list relating to Address Confidentiality Program participants must be kept under seal and excluded from public inspection. The residence address for any voter whose address has been made confidential pursuant to section 22, subsection 3, paragraph B may not be printed on the incoming voting list, and the words "address is confidential" must be printed on the list instead. [PL 2011, c. 342, §4 (AMD).]

22. Major party. "Major party" means a political party polling the greatest or the next greatest number of votes cast for Governor at the last gubernatorial election. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

23. Members of the Armed Forces. [PL 1985, c. 614, §3 (RP).]

23-A. Member of the merchant marine. "Member of the merchant marine" means a person, other than a member of a uniformed service or a person employed, enrolled or maintained on the Great Lakes or the inland waterways, who is: A. Employed as an officer or crew member of a vessel documented under the laws of the United States, a vessel owned by the United States or a vessel of foreign-flag registry under charter to or control of the United States; or [PL 2003, c. 407, §2 (NEW).] B. Enrolled with the United States for employment or training for employment, or maintained by the United States for emergency relief service, as an officer or crew member of a vessel described in paragraph A . [PL 2003, c. 407, §2 (NEW).] [PL 2003, c. 407, §2 (NEW).]

24. Minor party. "Minor party" means a political party other than a major party. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

25. Municipal committee. "Municipal committee" means a city, town or ward committee of a political party. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

26. Municipal officers. "Municipal officers" means the mayor and aldermen or councillors of a city, the members of the select board or councillors of a town and the assessors of a plantation. [PL 2021, c. 275, §6 (AMD).]

27. Municipality. "Municipality" means a city, town or plantation. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

27-A. Official tally tape. "Official tally tape" means the first tape produced by an electronic tabulating machine that tallies the final vote totals at the conclusion of voting and that is attached to the zero tape produced by the machine prior to the start of voting. [PL 2001, c. 310, §2 (NEW).]

27-B. Overseas voter. "Overseas voter" means: A. A person who resides outside the United States and who was qualified to vote in the last place in which the person was domiciled in the State before leaving the United States; or [PL 2003, c. 407, §3 (NEW).] B. A person who resides outside the United States and, except for such residence, would be qualified to vote in the last place in which the person was domiciled in the State before leaving the United States. [PL 2003, c. 407, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2003, c. 407, §3 (NEW).]

27-C. Elections determined by ranked-choice voting. "Elections determined by ranked-choice voting" means any of the following elections in which 3 or more candidates have qualified to be listed on the ballot for a particular office or at least 2 such candidates plus one or more declared write‑in candidates have qualified for that particular office: A. Primary elections for the offices of United States Senator, United States Representative to Congress, Governor, State Senator and State Representative; [PL 2021, c. 273, §1 (RPR).] B. General and special elections for the offices of United States Senator and United States Representative to Congress; [PL 2021, c. 273, §1 (RPR).] D. General elections for presidential electors; and [PL 2021, c. 273, §1 (RPR).] E. Primary elections for the office of President of the United States. [PL 2021, c. 273, §1 (RPR).] If one or more of the candidates who have qualified to be listed on the ballot for a particular office in an election determined by ranked-choice voting die, are disqualified or withdraw less than 70 days before the election, the election remains an election determined by ranked-choice voting regardless of the number of remaining candidates. [PL 2025, c. 363, §1 (AMD).] Revisor's Note: Paragraph C and the blocked paragraph of subsection 27-C, as created by Public Law 2017, chapter 316, section 1, were vetoed pursuant to a people's veto on June 12, 2018 in accordance with the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 17.

27-D. Online voter registration application. "Online voter registration application" means the electronic voter registration application form created by the Secretary of State pursuant to section 152 and available on the Secretary of State's publicly accessible website and through which, in accordance with the rules adopted under section 152, subsection 6 , an individual may register to vote and enroll in a party or a registered voter may enroll in a party, change the voter's party enrollment, withdraw from a party or notify the appropriate registrar of voters of a change in the voter's name or address when the voter's name is changed due to marriage or other process of law or when the voter has moved within a municipality. [PL 2021, c. 439, §1 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 439, §15 (AFF).]

28. Party. "Party" means a political organization which has qualified to participate in a primary or general election under chapter 5 . [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

29. Peace officer. "Peace officer" means state police officer, local police officer, sheriff, deputy sheriff or constable. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

29-A. Political action committee. "Political action committee" has the same meaning as in section 1052, subsection 5 . [PL 2021, c. 217, §2 (AMD).]

30. Political committee. "Political committee" means 2 or more persons associated for the purpose of promoting or defeating a candidate, party or principle. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

30-A. Pollwatcher. "Pollwatcher" means a party worker who remains in the voting place outside the guardrail enclosure for the purpose of viewing the voting process, keeping track of the voters who have voted or challenging voters whose qualifications appear to be in question. [PL 2001, c. 310, §2 (NEW).]

31. Population. "Population" means the population determined by the last Decennial Census of the United States. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

32. Primary election. "Primary election" means the regular election for the election of nominees of a party for the general election. [PL 1987, c. 423, §1 (AMD).]

33. Protective counter. [PL 2009, c. 253, §3 (RP).]

33-A. Public counter. "Public counter" means a separate counter built into a voting device that records the total number of ballots cast or tabulated on the voting device for an election. [PL 2009, c. 253, §4 (NEW).]

34. Public official. "Public official" means a person elected or appointed to serve the people, including but not limited to an election official, municipal clerk or registrar. [PL 2021, c. 568, §2 (AMD).]

35. Question. "Question" means any proposition submitted to the voters. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

35-A. Ranked-choice voting. "Ranked-choice voting" means the method of casting and tabulating votes in which voters rank candidates in order of preference, tabulation proceeds in sequential rounds in which last-place candidates are defeated and the candidate with the most votes in the final round is elected. [IB 2015, c. 3, §2 (NEW); IB 2015, c. 3, §6 (AFF).]

36. Referendum. "Referendum" means an election for the determination of a question. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

37. Register. "Register" means to enlist as a voter. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

38. Registrar. "Registrar" means the registrar or deputy registrar of voters of a municipality. [PL 1997, c. 436, §4 (AMD).]

39. Regular election. "Regular election" means an election or a referendum held at a regular time prescribed by statute. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

40. Residence. "Residence" means that place where the person has established a fixed and principal home to which the person, whenever temporarily absent, intends to return. [PL 1997, c. 436, §5 (AMD).]

40-A. Signature. "Signature" includes a signature stamp and a signature written by another registered voter on behalf of an individual in accordance with the procedure set forth in section 153‑A and, for an individual who is unable to sign that individual's own name, a mark. [PL 2005, c. 196, §1 (NEW).]

40-B. Residence address. "Residence address" means the street and number or other designation indicating the physical location of a person's residence. [PL 2005, c. 453, §2 (NEW).]

41. Special election. "Special election" means an election other than a regular election. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

42. State office. "State office" means the office of Governor, State Senator, Representative to the State Legislature or presidential elector. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

43. Street address. [PL 2005, c. 453, §3 (RP).]

43-A. Third person or 3rd person. "Third person" or "3rd person," with respect to an absentee ballot, means a person, other than the clerk or an immediate family member of a voter, who delivers an absentee ballot to a voter. [PL 1999, c. 645, §1 (NEW).]

44. Township. "Township" means unorganized territory. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

45. Treasurer. "Treasurer" means a person appointed by a candidate or a political committee to accept or disburse money to promote or defeat a candidate, party or principle. A person who collects money to be transferred to the treasurer of a candidate or committee is not a treasurer. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

45-A. Undeclared write-in candidate. "Undeclared write-in candidate" means a write-in candidate who has not filed a declaration pursuant to section 722‑A . [PL 2009, c. 253, §5 (NEW).]

46. Uncontested office. "Uncontested office" means an office where, as of the final date for filing primary nomination petitions, either: A. Only members of one party have filed as candidates for nomination for that office; or [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] B. Only one unenrolled nominee has filed as a candidate for that office. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

46-A. Uniformed service. "Uniformed service" means the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, the commissioned corps of the United States Public Health Service and the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [PL 2003, c. 407, §4 (NEW).]

46-B. Uniformed service voter. "Uniformed service voter" means: A. A member of a uniformed service on active duty who, by reason of active duty or service, is absent from the place of residence in the State where the member is otherwise qualified to vote; [PL 2003, c. 407, §4 (NEW).] B. A member of the merchant marine who, by reason of service in the merchant marine, is absent from the place of residence where the member is otherwise qualified to vote; or [PL 2003, c. 407, §4 (NEW).] C. A spouse or dependent of a member referred to in paragraph A or B who, by reason of the active duty or service of the member, is absent from the place of residence where the spouse or dependent is otherwise qualified to vote. [PL 2003, c. 407, §4 (NEW).] [PL 2003, c. 407, §4 (NEW).]

47. Voter. "Voter" means a person registered to vote. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

47-A. Voter participation history. "Voter participation history" means the indication in the central voter registration system of whether a voter has cast a ballot in a certain election, as reflected on the incoming voting list for that election. [PL 2005, c. 453, §4 (NEW).]

47-B. Voting booth or voting station. "Voting booth" or "voting station" means the location within a voting place where voters may mark their ballots or record their votes screened from the observation of others. "Voting booth" or "voting station" includes the area, location, booth, table or enclosure where voting takes place and includes any voting machine, voting device or accessible voting system placed in the voting booth or voting station. [PL 2007, c. 455, §1 (NEW).]

48. Voting district. "Voting district" means an area set off from another in the same municipality for voting purposes. It includes wards and precincts. In a municipality that has only one voting district, it means the entire municipality. The first breakdown of a municipality is a ward. Further breakdowns of a municipality are precincts. [PL 1997, c. 436, §6 (AMD).]

48-A. Voting indicator. "Voting indicator" means the space provided for marking a vote in accordance with a particular type of ballot. [PL 2003, c. 447, §3 (NEW).]

49. Voting place. "Voting place" means the building in which ballots are cast at an election. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

50. Warden. "Warden" means the presiding officer at a voting place. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

51. Write-in candidate. "Write-in candidate" means a person whose name does not appear on the ballot under the office designation to which a voter may wish to elect the candidate. [PL 2009, c. 253, §6 (AMD).]

52. Write-in indicator. "Write-in indicator" means the space provided, in accordance with a particular type of ballot, for marking a write-in vote. [PL 1997, c. 436, §7 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1002 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1002
21-A §1002. Meetings of commission
Status: in_force

1. Meeting schedule. The commission shall meet in Augusta for the purposes of this chapter at least once per month in any year in which primary and general elections are held. In the 28 days preceding an election, the commission shall meet in Augusta within 2 business days of the filing of any complaint with the commission, unless the complainant and respondent agree otherwise. Regardless of whether the complainant or respondent agree, the commission may defer until after the election considering complaints determined by the chair to involve allegations of minor violations of this chapter or chapter 14 , such as disclaimer statements omitted from campaign signs or transactions of less than $100 omitted from campaign finance reports. [PL 2011, c. 389, §2 (AMD).]

2. Telephone meetings. [PL 2023, c. 324, §4 (RP).]

3. Other meetings. The commission shall meet at other times on the call of the Secretary of State, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House or the chair or a majority of the members of the commission, as long as all members are notified of the time, place and purpose of the meeting at least 24 hours in advance. [PL 2007, c. 571, §5 (NEW).]

4. Office hours before election. [PL 2023, c. 324, §5 (RP).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1004 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1004
21-A §1004. Violations
Status: in_force

The violation of any of the following subsections is a Class E crime. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1. Contributions and expenditures. A person, candidate, treasurer, political committee or political action committee may not knowingly make or accept any contribution or make any expenditure in violation of this chapter. [PL 1991, c. 839, §2 (AMD); PL 1991, c. 839, §34 (AFF).]

2. False statements. A person, candidate, treasurer or political action committee may not make a false statement in a report required by this chapter. [PL 2003, c. 447, §36 (AMD).]

3. Contributions in another's name. A person may not knowingly: A. Make a contribution in the name of another person; [PL 2003, c. 447, §37 (NEW).] B. Permit the person's name to be used to accomplish a contribution in violation of paragraph A ; or [PL 2003, c. 447, §37 (NEW).] C. Accept a contribution made by one person in the name of another person. [PL 2003, c. 447, §37 (NEW).] [PL 2003, c. 447, §37 (RPR).]

4. Registration; political action committees. A political action committee or ballot question committee required to be registered under section 1052‑A may not operate in this State unless it is so registered. [PL 2025, c. 224, §2 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 814 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 814
21-A §814. Custody
Status: in_force

The municipal clerk has custody of a voting machine used by the municipality. [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

1. Storage and maintenance. The municipal clerk is responsible for the proper storage and maintenance of each machine. A. The municipal clerk shall have each machine locked, sealed and stored in a safe, dry building. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §62 (COR).] B. The municipal clerk shall have each machine kept in proper operating condition. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §62 (COR).] [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §62 (COR).]

2. Transfer prohibited. The municipal clerk may not transfer possession, custody or control of a voting machine to any person except as expressly authorized by the Secretary of State. [PL 2021, c. 536, §5 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 303-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 303-A
21-A §303-A. Challenge to denial of party qualification
Status: in_force

If the Secretary of State determines that a party has not met the requirements to qualify as a party pursuant to section 303 , the proposed party may challenge that determination. The procedure for challenging the determination is as follows. [PL 2017, c. 254, §3 (NEW).]

1. Challenge. A challenge under this section must be in writing, signed by the voters who signed the declaration of intent to form a party by enrollment, and must set forth the reasons for the challenge. The challenge may include a request for copies of voter registration and enrollment or change of enrollment applications that were rejected by municipal registrars from up to 15 named municipalities. The challenge must be filed in the office of the Secretary of State before 5 p.m. on the 5th business day after the party receives the secretary's determination. [PL 2017, c. 254, §3 (NEW).]

2. Notification. Within 5 business days of receiving a properly filed challenge under subsection 1 , the Secretary of State shall notify the municipalities listed by the challenger and direct the municipal officials of those municipalities to submit copies of the rejected voter registration and enrollment or change of enrollment applications if requested under subsection 1 to the Secretary of State within 5 business days. [PL 2017, c. 254, §3 (NEW).]

3. Public hearing. Within 15 business days after receipt of a properly filed challenge under subsection 1 , and after providing due notice of the hearing to the challenger, the Secretary of State shall hold a public hearing on the challenge. The hearing must be held in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act. The challenger has the burden of providing sufficient evidence to establish that the party did enroll a minimum of 5,000 voters by the applicable deadline pursuant to section 303 . [PL 2017, c. 254, §3 (NEW).]

4. Ruling. The Secretary of State shall rule on the validity of any challenge within 5 business days after the completion of the hearing described in subsection 3 . [PL 2017, c. 254, §3 (NEW).]

5. Appeal of Secretary of State's determination. A challenger may appeal the determination of the Secretary of State under subsection 4 by commencing an action in the Superior Court. This action must be conducted in accordance with the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 80C, except as modified by this section. This action must be commenced within 5 business days of the date of the determination of the Secretary of State. Upon timely application, a person may intervene in this action if the person claims an interest relating to the subject matter of the petitions, unless the person's interest is adequately represented by existing parties. The court shall issue a written decision containing its findings of fact and conclusions of law and setting forth the reasons for its decision within 20 days of the date of the determination of the Secretary of State. [PL 2017, c. 254, §3 (NEW).]

6. Appeal of Superior Court decision. A challenger may appeal the decision of the Superior Court under subsection 5 , on questions of law, by filing a notice of appeal within 3 days of that decision. The record on appeal must be transmitted to the Law Court within 3 days after notice of appeal is filed. After filing notice of appeal, the parties have 4 days to file briefs and appendices with the clerk of courts. As soon as the record and briefs have been filed, the court shall immediately consider the case. The court shall issue its decision within 14 days of the date of the decision of the Superior Court. [PL 2017, c. 254, §3 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 22 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 1 / Section 22
21-A §22. Records and documents are public; exception for ballots and voter address
Status: in_force

1. Public records. All lists, books, documents and records required to be prepared by or filed with a public official are public records, except as otherwise provided in this Title. Public records are open to public inspection during regular business hours under proper protective regulations made by the official charged with their custody. [PL 2005, c. 453, §5 (AMD).]

2. Ballots. Official ballots, whether in paper form or in an electronic or image format, are not public records and may be inspected only in accordance with this Title. For purposes of this subsection, "official ballot" means a ballot used by a voter to cast a vote at an election. "Official ballot" includes an absentee ballot and a ballot cast on election day at a voting place. [PL 2019, c. 371, §1 (AMD).]

3. Confidential information. Notwithstanding subsection 1 and Title 1, section 408‑A , if a registered voter meets certain conditions, the voter's information must be kept confidential as provided in this subsection. A. For a voter who is certified by the Secretary of State as a program participant in the Address Confidentiality Program pursuant to Title 5, section 90‑B , all records maintained by the registrar pertaining to that voter must be kept confidential and must be excluded from public inspection. [PL 2005, c. 568, §2 (NEW).] B. For a voter who submits to the registrar a signed statement that the voter has a good reason to believe that the physical safety of the voter or a member of the voter's immediate family residing with the voter would be jeopardized if the voter's residence address were open to public inspection, that voter's residence address and mailing address, if the mailing address is the same as or discloses the voter's residence address, must be kept confidential and must be excluded from public inspection. The remainder of the information in that voter's record that is designated as public information in section 196‑A remains a public record and may be made available to the public according to the use and distribution requirements provided in that section. The voter's signed statement is also a public record. A voter's address that is excluded from public inspection under this paragraph may be made available free of charge to a law enforcement officer or law enforcement agency that makes a written request to use the information for a bona fide law enforcement purpose or to a person identified by a court order if directed by that order. [PL 2009, c. 564, §1 (AMD).] [PL 2011, c. 662, §11 (AMD).]

4. Disclosure of address. [PL 2005, c. 364, §3 (RP).]

5. Signature and identification number of registered voter. Notwithstanding subsection 1 and Title 1, section 408‑A , the voter's signature and identification number on the voter registration application and associated records in electronic format are designated as nonpublic records and the registrar shall exclude those items from public inspection. Voter signatures on voter registration applications and associated records in a printed hard-copy format are public records in accordance with subsection 1 and Title 1, section 408‑A . [PL 2011, c. 662, §12 (AMD).]

6. Disclosure of voter's signature and identification number electronically. A voter's signature and identification number in electronic format that are excluded from public inspection pursuant to subsection 5 and associated records may be made available for inspection only to the voter of record, to municipal and state election officials, to a law enforcement agency that makes a written request to use the information for a bona fide law enforcement purpose or to a person identified by a court order if directed by that order. [PL 2003, c. 584, §1 (NEW).]

7. Incoming voting list. After the incoming voting list is unsealed following the election, the list must be made available for public inspection and copying in accordance with Title 1, section 408‑A . [PL 2011, c. 662, §13 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1059 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1059
21-A §1059. Report; filing requirements
Status: in_force

A committee required to register under section 1052‑A or 1053‑B shall file an initial campaign finance report within 7 days of registration or within 14 days of having been required to register, whichever comes first, and thereafter shall file reports in compliance with this section. All reports must be filed by 11:59 p.m. on the day of the filing deadline, except that reports submitted to a municipal clerk must be filed by the close of business on the day of the filing deadline. [PL 2021, c. 217, §10 (AMD).]

1. Contents; quarterly reports and election year reports. [PL 2007, c. 443, Pt. A, §35 (RP).]

2. Reporting schedule. A committee shall file reports according to the following schedule. A. A committee shall file quarterly reports: (1) On January 15th, and the report must be complete as of December 31st; (2) On April 10th, and the report must be complete as of March 31st; (3) On July 15th, and the report must be complete as of June 30th; and (4) On October 5th, and the report must be complete as of September 30th. [PL 2019, c. 323, §24 (AMD).] B. During any year in which primary and general elections are held, a committee shall file primary and general election reports in addition to the reports required under paragraph A : (1) On the 11th day before the date on which the election is held, which must be complete as of the 14th day before that date; and (2) On the 42nd day after the date on which the election is held, which must be complete as of the 35th day after that date. A committee shall file primary and general election reports even if the committee did not engage in financial activity to influence the primary or general election. [PL 2019, c. 323, §24 (AMD).] C. In any election year other than a year described in paragraph B , if a committee has received contributions or made expenditures for the purpose of influencing a ballot question election, a special election or a municipal candidate or referendum election subject to Title 30‑A, section 2502 , the committee shall file preelection and post-election reports: (1) On the 11th day before the date on which the election is held, which must be complete as of the 14th day before that date; and (2) On the 42nd day after the date on which the election is held, which must be complete as of the 35th day after that date. [PL 2019, c. 323, §24 (AMD).] D. A committee that files an election report under paragraph B or C is not required to file a quarterly report when the deadline for that quarterly report falls within 10 days of the filing deadline established in paragraph B or C . [PL 1991, c. 839, §29 (RPR).] E. If a committee is required to file a report 11 days before an election pursuant to paragraph B or C , the committee shall report any single contribution of $5,000 or more received or single expenditure of $1,000 or more made after the 14th day before the election and more than 24 hours before 5:00 p.m. on the day of the election within 24 hours of that contribution or expenditure. The treasurer is not required to include in this report expenditures for overhead expenses or compensation paid to an employee or other member of the campaign staff who has received payments at regular intervals that have been disclosed in previously filed campaign finance reports. As used in this paragraph, "overhead expenses" includes, but is not limited to, rent, utility payments, taxes, insurance premiums or similar administrative expenses. [PL 2019, c. 323, §24 (AMD).] [PL 2019, c. 323, §24 (AMD).]

3. Report of expenditures made after the 11th day and more than 48 hours before any election. [PL 1989, c. 504, §§28, 31 (RP).]

4. Special election reports. [PL 1989, c. 504, §§28, 31 (RP).]

5. Electronic filing. A committee shall file each report required by this section through an electronic filing system developed by the commission. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, for purposes of entering and retrieving information, the electronic filing system may categorize ballot question committees as a subcategory of political action committees. The commission may make an exception to this electronic filing requirement if a committee submits a written request that states that the committee lacks access to the technology or the technological ability to file reports electronically. The request for an exception must be submitted within 30 days of the registration of the committee. The commission shall grant all reasonable requests for exceptions. [PL 2021, c. 530, §1 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 905 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 11 / Section 905
21-A §905. Review of initiative and referendum petitions
Status: in_force

1. Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall review all petitions filed in the Department of the Secretary of State for a people's veto referendum under the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 17, or for a direct initiative under the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 18. The Secretary of State shall determine the validity of the petition and issue a written decision stating the reasons for the decision within 30 business days from the date of filing of a written petition in the Department of the Secretary of State under the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 17 or 18, except as provided in paragraph A . A. In an even-numbered general election year, if a written petition is filed in the Department of the Secretary of State under the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 17 or 18 within the 30 calendar days preceding the general election or within the 30 calendar days following the general election, the Secretary of State shall determine the validity of the petition and issue a written decision stating the reasons for the decision within 30 business days after the 30th calendar day following the general election. [PL 2023, c. 342, §1 (NEW).] The Secretary of State may invalidate a petition if the Secretary of State is unable to verify the notarization of that petition. [PL 2023, c. 342, §1 (AMD).]

2. Superior Court. Any voter named in the application under section 901 , or any person who has validly signed the petitions, if these petitions are determined to be invalid, or any other voter, if these petitions are determined to be valid, may appeal the decision of the Secretary of State by commencing an action in the Superior Court. This action must be conducted in accordance with the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 80C, except as modified by this section. In reviewing the decision of the Secretary of State, the court shall determine whether the description of the subject matter is understandable to a reasonable voter reading the question for the first time and will not mislead a reasonable voter who understands the proposed legislation into voting contrary to that voter's wishes. Except as provided in subsection 4 , this action must be commenced within 10 days of the date of the decision of the Secretary of State. Upon timely application, anyone may intervene in this action when the applicant claims an interest relating to the subject matter of the petitions, unless the applicant's interest is adequately represented by existing parties. The court shall advance the action on the docket and give it priority over other cases when the court determines the interests of justice so require. The court shall issue its written decision containing its findings of fact and stating the reasons for its decision before the 40th day after the decision of the Secretary of State. [PL 2021, c. 570, §8 (AMD).]

3. Supreme Judicial Court. Any aggrieved party may appeal the decision of the Superior Court, on questions of law, by filing a notice of appeal within 3 days of that decision. The appellant must file the required number of copies of the record with the clerk within 3 days after filing notice of appeal. After a notice of appeal is filed, the parties have 10 days to file briefs with the clerk of courts. As soon as the record and briefs have been filed, the court shall immediately consider the case. The standard of review must be the same as for the Superior Court. Except as provided in subsection 4 , the court shall issue its decision within 30 days of the date of the decision of the Superior Court. [PL 2021, c. 570, §9 (AMD).]

4. Expedited proceedings. If the Secretary of State's written decision on the validity of a petition under subsection 1 is issued within 120 days of the general or statewide election in which the people's veto referendum or direct initiative, if finally determined to be valid, will appear on the ballot, the following modifications to the procedures established in subsections 2 and 3 apply: A. An appeal under subsection 2 must be commenced within 5 days of the date on which the Secretary of State's written decision was issued under subsection 1 , unless the Secretary of State fails to provide notice of the 5-day deadline in the written decision; [PL 2021, c. 570, §10 (NEW).] B. The Superior Court shall conduct the appeal in accordance with subsection 2 , except that the court shall issue its written decision containing its findings of fact and stating the reasons for its decision no later than 60 days prior to the general or statewide election in which the people's veto referendum or direct initiative, if finally determined to be valid, will appear on the ballot. In establishing the timeline for the proceedings and in issuing its written decision, the Superior Court shall give due regard to the deadline for completion of a further appeal under paragraph C ; and [PL 2021, c. 570, §10 (NEW).] C. If an aggrieved party files an appeal with the Supreme Judicial Court under subsection 3 , the court shall issue its decision no later than 50 days prior to the general or statewide election in which the people's veto referendum or direct initiative, if finally determined to be valid, will appear on the ballot. [PL 2021, c. 570, §10 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 570, §10 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 783 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 783
21-A §783. Authority of Secretary of State
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State may act administratively to facilitate voting by uniformed service voters and overseas voters and may use federal or other facilities available for this purpose. These administrative actions may include, but are not limited to: [PL 2009, c. 563, §9 (AMD).]

1. Central issuance of absentee ballots. Issuing absentee ballots to uniformed service voters and overseas voters from a central location in order to ensure expedited delivery of absentee ballots; [PL 2009, c. 563, §9 (NEW).]

2. Central receipt of absentee ballots. Receiving absentee ballots from uniformed service voters and overseas voters at a central location in order to ensure that the ballots are received by the statutory deadline; [PL 2009, c. 563, §9 (NEW).]

3. Central counting of absentee ballots. Counting absentee ballots from uniformed service voters and overseas voters at a central location and including the count of these votes in the statewide tabulation of the vote; [PL 2009, c. 563, §9 (NEW).]

4. Electronic transmission of absentee ballots. Authorizing the electronic transmission of absentee ballots to uniformed service voters or overseas voters; and [PL 2009, c. 563, §9 (NEW).]

5. Electronic receipt of absentee ballots. Authorizing the electronic receipt of voted absentee ballots from uniformed service voters or overseas voters by a method authorized by the Secretary of State. [PL 2015, c. 350, §1 (AMD).]

The Secretary of State shall adopt rules to administer the central issuance and processing of absentee ballots, including rules that provide for the examination, counting and storage of ballots in the same manner as regular absentee ballots. Rules adopted in accordance with this section are routine technical rules as described by Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2009, c. 563, §9 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 337 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 5 / Section 337
21-A §337. Review and challenge of petitions
Status: in_force

1. Review. When presented with a primary petition, the Secretary of State shall review it and, if the petition contains the required minimum number of certified names and is properly completed, shall accept and file it. If a petition contains more valid signatures than the maximum set forth in section 335, subsection 5 , the Secretary of State may not validate any signatures above the maximum. [PL 2025, c. 397, §21 (AMD).]

2. Challenges. The procedure for challenging the validity of a primary petition or of names upon a petition is as follows. A. Only a registered voter residing in the electoral division of the candidate concerned may file a challenge. The challenge must be in writing and must set forth the reasons for the challenge. The challenge must be filed in the office of the Secretary of State before 5 p.m. on the 5th business day after the final date for filing petitions under section 335, subsection 8 . [PL 1989, c. 166, §2 (AMD).] B. Within 5 business days after the final date for filing challenges and after due notice of the hearing to the candidate and to the challenger, the Secretary of State shall hold a public hearing on any challenge properly filed. The challenger has the burden of providing sufficient evidence to invalidate the petitions or any names upon the petitions. [PL 2025, c. 397, §22 (AMD).] C. The Secretary of State shall rule on the validity of any challenge within 5 business days after the completion of the hearing described in paragraph B. [PL 2025, c. 397, §22 (AMD).] D. [PL 2025, c. 397, §22 (RP).] E. Any aggrieved party may appeal the decision of the Secretary of State to the Law Court, on questions of law, by filing a notice of appeal within 3 business days of that decision in the same manner as an appeal taken from a judgment of the Superior Court in a civil action. The appeal must be conducted in accordance with the following procedures. (1) Any person who participated in the hearing held under paragraph B , and who is adversely affected by the final decision of the Secretary of State, is considered a party for purposes of taking an appeal. The court may allow other parties to the hearing before the Secretary of State to participate in the appeal. (2) When a law or rule regulating the taking of an appeal from the Superior Court in a civil action uses the terms "the court," "the clerk," "the clerk of the courts" or a similar term, for purposes of an appeal from the Secretary of State, those terms mean "the Secretary of State" or other appropriate term. (3) The notice of appeal must be accompanied by a brief statement of the nature of the proceeding before the Secretary of State, a copy of the decision, order or ruling complained of, a statement of the grounds upon which the decision, order or ruling is claimed to be unlawful and a certificate that the attorney for the appellant is of the opinion that there is probable grounds for the appeal as to make it a fit subject for judicial inquiry and that it is not intended for delay. (4) The Law Court has exclusive jurisdiction over appeals under this paragraph. (5) Upon receipt of a notice of appeal under this paragraph, the court shall issue a scheduling order that allows for final disposition of the appeal no later than 35 days after the date of the decision by the Secretary of State. (6) An appeal under this paragraph does not automatically stay the ruling on appeal. The Chief Justice or, in the Chief Justice's absence, any other justice may enjoin or stay the effect of the ruling upon the terms and conditions as the Chief Justice determines proper. (7) Upon motion by a party filed within 3 days of the filing of the administrative record, the court may order additional evidence it determines necessary for the determination of issues to be taken before the Secretary of State upon the terms and conditions the court determines proper. A motion to take additional evidence must be accompanied by a detailed statement, in the nature of an offer of proof, of the evidence intended to be taken. The Secretary of State may, after hearing the evidence, modify or add findings as to facts and amend the original decision or order by reason of the additional evidence taken, and the Secretary of State shall file with the court that amended decision or order and those modified or new findings. If the Secretary of State modifies findings or amends the original decision or order, the appealing party or any other party aggrieved by the modified findings or amended decision or order may file with the court, within such time as the court may allow, a specification of errors claimed to have been made by the Secretary of State in the amended decision or order, and the specification of errors must be considered by the court in addition to the errors asserted in the original complaint on appeal. Upon granting a motion to take additional evidence, the court shall establish deadlines that allow for final disposition of the appeal within 35 days of the Secretary of State's original decision. (8) The clerk of the Law Court shall certify the result of the appeal to the Secretary of State no later than 35 days after the decision of the Secretary of State. [PL 2025, c. 397, §22 (AMD).] [PL 2025, c. 397, §22 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 904 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 11 / Section 904
21-A §904. Violations and penalties
Status: in_force

A person commits a Class E crime if that person: [PL 2007, c. 455, §53 (RPR).]

1. False swearing; signature. Circulates an initiative or referendum petition and swears that a signature is that of a person whose name it purports to be when the circulator knows that the signature is not that of the person; [PL 2007, c. 455, §53 (RPR).]

2. False acknowledgement of oath. Is authorized by law to administer oaths and willfully and falsely acknowledges the oath of a circulator of an initiative or referendum petition when that oath was not made in the presence of that person; [PL 2007, c. 455, §53 (RPR).]

3. False signature. Knowingly signs an initiative or referendum petition with a name other than the person's own name; [PL 2007, c. 455, §53 (RPR).]

4. Duplicate signature. Knowingly signs the person's name more than once on initiative or referendum petitions for the same measure; [PL 2019, c. 456, §3 (AMD).]

5. False swearing; signature made in circulator's presence. Circulates an initiative or referendum petition and willfully swears that a signature to the petition was made in the circulator's presence when it was not; or [PL 2019, c. 456, §4 (AMD).]

6. Failure to truthfully execute and file circulator affidavit. Knowingly fails to truthfully execute and timely file a circulator affidavit under section 903‑A, subsection 4 . [PL 2019, c. 456, §5 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1053-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1053-A
21-A §1053-A. Municipal elections
Status: in_force

If an organization qualifies as a committee under section 1052, subsection 2 and that organization receives contributions or makes expenditures to influence a municipal election in towns or cities with a population of 15,000 or more, that organization shall register and file reports with the municipal clerk as required by Title 30‑A, section 2502 . If an organization qualifies as a ballot question committee under section 1052, subsection 2‑A and that organization receives contributions or makes expenditures exceeding $5,000 to influence a municipal referendum in a town or city with a population of less than 15,000, that organization shall register and file reports with the commission using the electronic filing system pursuant to section 1059, subsection 5 . The reports must be filed in accordance with the reporting schedule in section 1059 and must contain the information listed in section 1060 . A committee registered with the commission and that receives contributions or makes expenditures relating to a municipal election shall file a copy of the report containing such contributions or expenditures with the clerk in the subject municipality. 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 elections in towns or cities with a population of 15,000 or more. If a municipal clerk becomes aware of a potential violation of this subchapter that the clerk considers to be substantial, the clerk may refer the matter to the commission for enforcement. The commission may 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 subchapter has occurred, the commission may assess penalties provided in this subchapter. [PL 2025, c. 224, §19 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 809 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 809
21-A §809. Approval of voting devices
Status: in_force

1. Rules. The Secretary of State and the Attorney General together may adopt rules governing approval of voting machines under section 813 and electronic tabulating systems under section 844 . The Secretary of State may adopt rules requiring independent testing of voting machines and electronic tabulating systems in use or proposed for use in the State and indicating which voting machines and electronic tabulating systems are approved for use by municipalities. [PL 1995, c. 459, §85 (AMD).]

2. Use of approved voting machines and systems. Voting machines and systems approved and recommended pursuant to rules adopted under subsection 1 may be used by any municipality in a state election. Voting machines and electronic tabulating systems that have not been approved for use may not be used by any municipality. [PL 1995, c. 459, §85 (AMD).]

3. Publication of list. [PL 1995, c. 459, §86 (RP).]

3-A. Proscribed voting machines. The following types of voting machines may not be used in the conduct of state elections: A. Mechanical lever voting machines; and [PL 2003, c. 651, §3 (NEW).] B. Punch card voting machines. [PL 2003, c. 651, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2003, c. 651, §3 (NEW).]

4. Application. This section applies only to those voting devices in use by the municipality after October 1, 1987. [PL 1991, c. 347, §5 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1102 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 13 / Section 1102
21-A §1102. Printing of code forms
Status: in_force

The commission shall print, or cause to be printed, copies of the code for distribution to registered candidates. [PL 1989, c. 802, §1 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1205-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 15 / Section 1205-A
21-A §1205-A. Congressional districts
Status: in_force

The State is divided into 2 districts for the election of Representatives to the United States Congress as follows. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. C, §1 (NEW).]

1. First District. The First District consists of the counties of Cumberland, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc and York and the following municipalities and areas within Kennebec County: Albion, Benton, China, Clinton, Litchfield, Pittston, Unity Township, Vassalboro, Waterville, West Gardiner, Windsor and Winslow. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. C, §1 (NEW).]

2. Second District. The Second District consists of the counties of Androscoggin, Aroostook, Franklin, Hancock, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo and Washington and the following municipalities and areas within Kennebec County: Augusta, Belgrade, Chelsea, Farmingdale, Fayette, Gardiner, Hallowell, Manchester, Monmouth, Mount Vernon, Oakland, Randolph, Readfield, Rome, Sidney, Vienna, Wayne and Winthrop. [PL 2021, c. 552, Pt. C, §1 (NEW).]
21-A M.R.S. § 163 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 163
21-A §163. Appeal
Status: in_force

In a municipality that does not have a registration appeals board, if a person is aggrieved by the decision of the registrar of voters to cancel that person's registration in the central voter registration system or to reject that person's registration application, the person may appeal in writing to the municipal officers. The appeal must be filed within 30 days after receipt of notice of the registrar's decision. The municipal officers shall immediately fix a time and place for a prompt hearing. The voter must be given written notice of the hearing at least 20 days in advance and must have the opportunity to testify and to present witnesses and other evidence at the hearing. The hearing is de novo. After hearing, the municipal officers may affirm, modify or reverse the decision of the registrar of voters. The municipal officers shall issue the decision to the voter in writing and shall provide information on how the voter may appeal the decision. The aggrieved person may appeal the decision of the municipal officers to the Superior Court in accordance with Rule 80B of the Rules of Civil Procedure. [PL 2019, c. 371, §9 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 604 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 604
21-A §604. Emergency ballot procedure
Status: in_force

In an emergency as described in subsection 2 , the Secretary of State may prepare new ballots, direct that ballots already printed be amended or supplemented in accordance with subsection 1 or 1‑A or authorize any clerk to procure ballots from another municipality or voting district. [PL 2019, c. 636, §12 (AMD).]

1. Ballots amended. Ballots already printed may be amended by having corrective stickers added, or by some other means, as directed by the Secretary of State. [PL 1997, c. 436, §78 (AMD).]

1-A. Supplemental notice. The Secretary of State may prepare and distribute to the local election officials in the candidate's electoral district a notice to supplement ballots already printed. The notice may correct an error on the ballot or provide information on a replacement candidate and how voters may vote for the replacement candidate. The notice must be distributed with all absentee ballots issued after the date that the notice is provided to the clerk and, on election day, must be posted outside the guardrail enclosure in accordance with section 651, subsection 2 and in each voting booth. [PL 2019, c. 636, §12 (NEW).]

2. Emergency described. An emergency may exist as follows: A. If there is a shortage of ballots; [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] B. If the ballots are not delivered in time for the election; [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] C. If the ballots are missing, defaced or destroyed; [PL 2019, c. 636, §12 (AMD).] D. If the Secretary of State receives notification of a replacement candidate to fill a vacancy less than 60 days before the election in accordance with section 376, subsection 2‑A ; or [PL 2019, c. 636, §12 (AMD).] E. If the ballots contain an error. [PL 2019, c. 636, §12 (NEW).] [PL 2019, c. 636, §12 (AMD).]

3. Replacement candidate to fill vacancy. When a candidate is chosen to fill a vacancy, the Secretary of State and the clerk of each interested municipality shall perform the duties required by this section as promptly as possible. [PL 2019, c. 636, §12 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 760-B — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 760-B
21-A §760-B. Procedures when clerk processes absentee ballots prior to election day
Status: in_force

Any municipality or jurisdiction that conducts its own elections may opt to process absentee ballots beginning on the 7th day immediately prior to election day. The clerk shall use the following procedure when processing the absentee ballots during this time. [PL 2021, c. 11, §1 (AMD).]

1. Time for processing. In a municipality that has opted to process absentee ballots on one or more of the days prior to election day authorized by this section, the municipal clerk or the clerk's designees may process absentee ballots at the times designated by the clerk, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., except that if an inspection is requested pursuant to subsection 3 , processing may not begin until after the inspection period has concluded. [PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §30 (AMD).]

2. Notice of early processing. The clerk must give notice of the municipality's intent to process absentee ballots prior to election day using a notice of early processing form provided by the Secretary of State, stating the days and times that the clerk intends to begin processing absentee ballots and the inspection period provided in subsection 3 . At least 30 days before election day, the clerk shall provide a copy of the notice of early processing to the Secretary of State and the chairs of each political party of the municipality indicating that early processing of absentee ballots will occur. The notice to the political parties must be considered sufficient as long as it is mailed to the last address of each municipal chair that is known to the clerk. The notice to the Secretary of State may be delivered by mail or facsimile or as a scanned attachment to an e-mail address established by the Secretary of State. If the notice is not received by the Secretary of State by 5:00 p.m. on the 30th day before election day, the municipality may not process absentee ballots prior to election day. The Secretary of State shall post the list of municipalities that will process absentee ballots prior to election day on its publicly accessible website at least one week prior to the start of early processing. [PL 2023, c. 304, Pt. A, §31 (AMD).]

3. Inspection of absentee envelopes before processing. A member of the public may make a written request of the clerk to inspect absentee ballot applications and envelopes before they are processed if the request is made by 4:00 p.m. on the day prior to each day that the clerk will process absentee ballots as specified on the notice of early processing under subsection 2 . The clerk shall make the absentee ballot applications and envelopes received by that time available for public inspection for one hour before the starting time specified in the notice of early processing for processing the absentee ballots. If there are multiple requests for inspection, the clerk may reasonably limit the time and manner of inspection by each member of the public and may give priority to requests for inspection by authorized representatives of candidates and qualified parties. The clerk may immediately proceed to process the ballots after the one-hour inspection time has elapsed. The Secretary of State may adopt rules necessary for the inspection of absentee ballot applications and envelopes before they are processed. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2025, c. 397, §48 (AMD).]

4. Processing and other procedures. The clerk shall use the procedure described in this section when processing the absentee ballots during the designated times. Procedures for handling full ballot boxes, pollwatching and challenging ballots are conducted in the same manner as election day or as close as practicable. [PL 2009, c. 538, §13 (AMD).]

5. Counting and results prohibited before the polls close. The absentee ballots may not be counted, voter intent may not be determined and election results may not be obtained or released until after the polls have closed on election day and all election day ballots have been cast and all absentee ballots have been processed. A municipality that uses a high-speed ballot tabulator and receives results at the completion of the ballot scanning may not view the results until after the polls close on election day. [PL 2015, c. 406, §1 (AMD).]

6. Security of processed ballots and tabulating equipment. At the conclusion of absentee ballot processing on any day prior to election day, the clerk shall ensure that the early processed absentee ballots are locked and sealed in the ballot box, automatic tabulating equipment ballot box or tamper-proof containers provided by the Secretary of State and secured in a vault or other locked secure location, until the voting resumes on election day or until the ballots are counted after the polls close. The Secretary of State shall publish uniform guidelines for securing ballots and other materials under this subsection. [PL 2015, c. 406, §1 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 111-A — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 3 / Section 111-A
21-A §111-A. Voting age qualification for primary elections
Status: in_force

A person who has not yet reached 18 years of age but will be 18 years of age at the time of a general election and meets all other qualifications in order to vote in a primary election may vote in the primary election for the selection of candidates to be on the ballot at that general election. [PL 2005, c. 387, §2 (AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 828 — ME Code / Title 21-A / Chapter 9 / Section 828
21-A §828. Security for keys
Status: in_force

The municipal clerk shall keep the keys to each voting machine in a vault or safe that is kept securely locked when the keys are not being removed from or replaced in it. The municipal clerk may not allow any unauthorized person to have possession of the keys to any voting machine. [PL 2009, c. 538, §14 (AMD).]

1. Keys returned. A person who is authorized to have possession of the keys to a voting machine must return them to the clerk when the person no longer needs them for the authorized purpose. [PL 2009, c. 538, §14 (AMD).]