Resolve, To Prohibit In-person Absentee Voting on November 3,2008
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 2293
Committee Amendment CA_A_S616 (Senate)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A,' to S.P. 914, L.D. 2293, '"Resolve, To Prohibit 
In-person Absentee Voting on November 3,2008" 
Amend the resolve by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, To Improve the Absentee Voting System on November 3,2008' 
Amend the resolve by striking out all of section 1 and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. Municipal clerks authorized to prohibit in-person absentee voting 
on the day prior to election day. Resolved: 
That, notwithstanding the Maine 
Revised Statutes, Title 21-A, section 753-8, subsection 8, a municipal clerk may prohibit 
voting by absentee ballot in the presence of the municipal clerk on November 3,2008, as 
long as the municipal clerk gives notice of the municipality's intent to do so using the 
notice of election under Title 21-A, section 621-A. At least 30 days before election day, 
the municipal clerk shall provide a copy of the notice of election to the Secretary of State 
and to the chairs of each political party of the municipality, indicating the municipality's 
intent to prohibit in-person absentee voting on November 3, 2008. The notice to the 
political parties is considered sufficient as long as it is mailed to the last known address of 
each municipal chair. The notice to the Secretary of State may be delivered by mail or by 
facsimile, but if the notice is not received by the Secretary of State by the 30th day before 
election day, the municipality must allow voting by absentee ballot in the presence of the 
municipal clerk on November 3, 2008. All other methods of absentee voting authorized 
by statute must continue to be available to voters on November 3, 2008; and be it further 
Sec. 2. 
Municipal clerks shall notify of early processing of absentee 
ballots at least 30 days prior to election day. Resolved: That, notwithstanding 
the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 21-A, section 760-8, subsection 2, a municipal clerk 
must give notice of the municipality's intent to process absentee ballots prior to election 
day using the notice of election under Title 21-A, section 621-A, stating each specific 
time that the municipal clerk intends to begin processing absentee ballots and the 
inspection period provided in Title 21-A, section 760-8, subsection 3. At least 30 days 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
II 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ,,4 "to S.P. 914, L.D. 2293 
before election day, the municipal clerk shall notifY the Secretary of State and the chairs 
of each political party of the municipality, in writing, that this procedure is to occur. The 
notice to the political parties must be considered sufficient as long as it is mailed to the 
last known address of each municipal chair. The notice to the Secretary of State may be 
delivered by mail or facsimile, but if the notice is not received by the Secretary of State 
by the 30th day before election day the municipality may not process absentee ballots 
prior to election day. A copy of the notice of election is considered notice in writing 
under this section.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the resolve, which would prohibit a voter from voting in 
the presence of a municipal clerk by absentee ballot on the day before election day. This 
amendment proactively addresses problems that may arise due to the anticipated high 
voter participation at the next general election and the increased use of the option to vote 
in person by absentee ballot in the office of the municipal clerk. It authorizes a municipal 
clerk to prohibit voting by"absentee ballot in the presence of the clerk on November 3, 
2008 as long as a municipal clerk gives notice to the political parties and to the Secretary 
of State at least 30 days before election day. 
Even when a municipality prohibits 
absentee voting in the presence of a municipal clerk, a voter may still request an absentee 
ballot from the clerk on November 3,2008 and vote outside of the clerk's office. It also 
changes the title of the resolve. 
FISCAL 1\OT[ 1<E<.1tJRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 0411 0/08 wac 
LD 2293 
LR 3561(02) 
Resolve, To Prohibit In-person Absentee Voting on November 3, 2008 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "4,, 
Committee: Legal and Veterans Affairs 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Additional costs to the Secretary of State can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR3561(02) - Fiscal Note - Page I of I