An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Nominations of County Commissioners, the Terms of County Commissioners and County Commissioner Districts
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 1587
Committee: State and Local Government
Sponsors: POULIOT, FECTEAU
Amends: 21-A MRSA §365, 30-A MRSA §63, 30-A MRSA §65, 30-A MRSA §66-B

Legislative Document
No. 1587
S.P. 506
In Senate, April 18, 2019
An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Nominations of County 
Commissioners, the Terms of County Commissioners and County 
Commissioner Districts
Reference to the Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator POULIOT of Kennebec.
Cosponsored by Representative: FECTEAU of Augusta.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  21-A MRSA §365, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 161, §6, is amended 
to read:
2.  County committee.  A county committee makes choices for all county offices and 
committee except for the office of county commissioner, the choice for which is made by 
committee members residing within the respective commissioner district.  Committee 
members residing within senatorial districts make choices for State Senator.
Sec. 2.  30-A MRSA §63, as amended by PL 1995, c. 683, §4, is further amended 
to read:
§63.  Vacancies during other times
When no choice is effected or a vacancy happens in the office of county 
commissioner by death, resignation, removal from the county, permanent incapacity or 
for any other reason, the Governor shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy until the next 
biennial election.  That person shall hold office until the first day of January following the 
next biennial election at which a person is must be elected to fill the office, and, if a 
portion of the initial term of office remains unexpired at the time of the next biennial 
election, the election for that county commissioner must be conducted within the district 
boundaries that existed when the initial election of county commissioner for that term 
was conducted.
In the case of a vacancy in the term of a commissioner who was nominated by 
primary election before the general election, the commissioner appointed by the Governor 
must be enrolled in the same political party as the commissioner whose term is vacant.  In 
making the appointment, the Governor shall choose from any recommendations 
submitted by the members of the county committee of the political party from which the 
appointment is to be made who reside within the district boundaries that existed when the 
initial election of county commissioner for that term was conducted.
Sec. 3.  30-A MRSA §65, sub-§4 is enacted to read:
4.  Effective date of apportionment plan.  For an apportionment plan of county 
commissioner districts under subsection 1 established in 2021 and for an apportionment 
plan established every 20th year thereafter, the districts take effect for the election of 
county commissioners beginning with the election to be held the first Tuesday after the 
first Monday in November of 2022 and every 20th year thereafter.  For an apportionment 
plan of county commissioner districts under subsection 1 established in 2031 and for an 
apportionment plan established every 20th year thereafter, the districts take effect for the 
election of county commissioners beginning with the election to be held the first Tuesday 
after the first Monday in November of 2034 and every 20th year thereafter.
Sec. 4.  30-A MRSA §66-B, as amended by PL 2013, c. 457, §§14 to 16, is further 
amended to read:
§66-B.  County commissioner districts
1.  Creation of Androscoggin County Commissioner Districts.  Androscoggin 
County is divided into the following 7 districts.
A.  Commissioner District Number 1, in the County of Androscoggin, consists of the 
following census units in the minor civil division of Lewiston:  Tract 020100; Blocks 
1012, 1013, 1015, 1016, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 of Tract 020200; Blocks 
1011, 1012, 1013, 1014, 1017, 1018, 1019, 1020, 1021, 1022, 2002, 2003, 2004, 
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, 
2021, 2022, 2023, 3000, 3001, 3002, 3003, 3004, 3005, 3006, 3007, 3008, 3009, 
3010, 3011, 3012, 3013, 3014, 3015, 4000, 4001, 4002, 4003, 4004, 4005, 4006, 
4007, 4008, 4009, 4010 and 4011 of Tract 020300; Tract 020400; Blocks 1008, 1009, 
1010, 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016, 1017, 1018, 1019, 1020, 1021, 2000, 
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 
2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 3000, 3001, 3002, 3003, 
3004, 3005, 3006, 3007, 3008, 3009, 3010, 3011, 3012, 3013, 3014, 3015, 3016, 
3017, 3018, 3023, 3024, 3025, 3026, 3027, 3028, 3029, 3030, 3031 and 3032 of Tract 
020500; Blocks 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1009, 1010, 
1011, 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016, 1017, 1018, 1019, 1020, 1021, 1022, 1023, 
1024, 1025, 1026, 1027, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2058 of Tract 
020600; Blocks 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 of Tract 020700; and Block 1034 
of Tract 020800.  The term of office of the county commissioner from this district 
expires in 2014 2020, and an election must be held in 2014 2020 to fill the office for 
a 2-year term, expiring in 2016 2022.  The term of office for of the county 
commissioner from this district expires every 4 years thereafter.
B.  Commissioner District Number 2, in the County of Androscoggin, consists of the 
following census units in the minor civil division of Lewiston:  Blocks 1000, 1001, 
1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1009, 1010, 1011, 1014, 2000, 2001, 
2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 of Tract 
020200; Blocks 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1009, 1010, 
1015, 1016, 1023, 2000, 2001, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2024 of Tract 020300; Blocks 
1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006 and 1007 of Tract 020500; Blocks 1000, 
1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1009, 1010, 1011, 1012, 1013, 
1014, 1015, 1016, 1017, 1018, 1019, 1020, 1021, 1022, 1023, 1024, 1025, 1026, 
1027, 1028, 1029, 1030, 1031, 1032, 1033, 1034, 1035, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 
2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 
2017, 2018, 3000, 3001, 3002, 3003, 3004, 3005, 3006, 3007, 3008, 3009, 3010, 
3011, 3012, 3013, 3014 and 3015 of Tract 020700; Blocks 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 
3000, 3001, 3002, 3003, 3004, 3005, 3006, 3007, 3008, 3009, 3010, 3011, 4012, 
4013, 4015, 4016, 4017 and 4018 of Tract 020800; and Tract 020900.  The term of 
office of the county commissioner from this district expires in 2014 2022 and every 4 
years thereafter.
C.  Commissioner District Number 3, in the County of Androscoggin, consists of the 
minor civil divisions of Durham and Greene; and the following census units in the 
minor civil division of Lewiston:  Blocks 3019, 3020, 3021 and 3022 of Tract 
020500; Blocks 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 
2011, 2012, 2013, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 
2030, 2031, 2032, 2033, 2034, 2035, 2036, 2037, 2038, 2039, 2040, 2041, 2042, 
2043, 2044, 2045, 2046, 2047, 2048, 2049, 2050, 2051, 2052, 2053, 2054, 2055, 
2056, 2057, 2059, 2060, 2061, 2062, 2063, 2064, 2065, 2066, 2067, 2068, 2069, 
2070, 2071, 2072, 2073, 2074, 2075, 2076, 2077, 2078 and 2079 of Tract 020600; 
and Blocks 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1009, 1010, 
1011, 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016, 1017, 1018, 1019, 1020, 1021, 1022, 1023, 
1024, 1025, 1026, 1027, 1028, 1029, 1030, 1031, 1032, 1033, 1035, 1036, 1037, 
1038, 1039, 1040, 1041, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 
3012, 4000, 4001, 4002, 4003, 4004, 4005, 4006, 4007, 4008, 4009, 4010, 4011, 
4014, 4019, 4020, 4021, 4022, 4023, 4024 and 4025 of Tract 020800.  The term of 
office of the county commissioner from this district expires in 2014 2022 and every 4 
years thereafter.
D.  Commissioner District Number 4, in the County of Androscoggin, consists of the 
minor civil divisions of Lisbon, Sabattus and Wales.  The term of office of the county 
commissioner from this district expires in 2016 2020, and an election must be held in 
2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the 
commissioner from this district expires every 4 years thereafter.
E.  Commissioner District Number 5, in the County of Androscoggin, consists of the 
following census units in the minor civil division of Auburn:  Tract 010100; Blocks 
1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1009, 1010, 1011, 1012, 
1013, 1014, 1015, 1016, 1017, 1018, 1019, 1020, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 
2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 
2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031, 3052, 
3053, 3054, 3055, 3056, 3057, 3058, 3059, 3060, 3061, 3062, 3063, 3064, 3066, 
3068, 3069 and 3070 of Tract 010200; Tract 010300; Tract 010400; Tract 010500; 
Blocks 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1009, 1010, 1011, 
1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 
2008, 2009, 2010 and 2015 of Tract 010600; Blocks 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 
1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1009, 1010, 1011, 1012, 1020, 1023, 1024, 1025, 1026, 
2036, 2037, 2038, 2039 and 2040 of Tract 010700; and Blocks 1000, 1001, 1002, 
1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1009, 1010, 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 
1016, 1017, 1018, 1019, 1020, 1021 and 1022 of Tract 010800.  The term of office of 
the county commissioner from this district expires in 2014 2022 and every 4 years 
thereafter.
F.  Commissioner District Number 6, in the County of Androscoggin, consists of the 
following census units in the minor civil division of Auburn:  Blocks 2003, 2004, 
3000, 3001, 3002, 3003, 3004, 3005, 3006, 3007, 3008, 3009, 3010, 3011, 3012, 
3013, 3014, 3015, 3016, 3017, 3018, 3019, 3020, 3021, 3022, 3023, 3024, 3025, 
3026, 3027, 3028, 3029, 3030, 3031, 3032, 3033, 3034, 3035, 3036, 3037, 3038, 
3039, 3040, 3041, 3042, 3043, 3044, 3045, 3046, 3047, 3048, 3049, 3050, 3051, 
3065, 3067 and 3071 of Tract 010200; Blocks 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 
2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, 
2031, 2032, 2033, 2034, 2035, 2036, 2037, 2038, 2039, 2040, 2041, 2042, 2043, 
2044, 2045, 2046, 2047, 2048, 2049, 2050, 2051, 2052, 2053, 2054, 2055, 2056, 
2057, 2058, 2059, 2060, 2061, 2062, 2063, 2064, 2065, 2066, 2067, 2068, 2069, 
2070, 2071, 2072, 2073, 2074, 2075, 2076, 2077, 2078, 2079, 2080, 2081, 2082, 
2083, 2084, 2085, 2086, 2087, 2088, 2089, 2090, 2091, 2092, 2093, 2094, 2095, 
2096, 2097, 2098, 2099, 2100 and 2101 of Tract 010600; Blocks 1013, 1014, 1015, 
1016, 1017, 1018, 1019, 1021, 1022, 1027, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 
2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031, 
2032, 2033, 2034, 2035, 2041, 2042, 2043, 2044, 2045, 2046, 2047, 2048, 2049, 
2050, 2051, 2052, 2053, 2054, 2055, 2056, 2057, 2058, 2059, 2060, 2061, 2062, 
2063, 2064, 2065, 2066, 2067, 2068, 2069, 2070, 2071, 2072, 2073, 2074 and 2075 
of Tract 010700; and Blocks 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 
2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 
2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, 2033, 2034, 
2035, 2036, 2037, 2038, 2039, 2040, 2041, 2042, 2043, 2044, 2045, 2046 and 2047 
of Tract 010800; and the minor civil divisions of Mechanic Falls and Poland.  The 
term of office of the county commissioner from this district expires in 2016 2020, and 
an election must be held in 2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  
The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires every 4 years 
thereafter.
G.  Commissioner District Number 7, in the County of Androscoggin, consists of the 
minor civil divisions of Leeds, Livermore, Livermore Falls, Minot and Turner.  The 
term of office of the county commissioner from this district expires in 2014 2022 and 
every 4 years thereafter.
2.  Creation of Aroostook County Commissioner Districts.  Aroostook County is 
divided into the following 3 districts.
A.  Commissioner District Number 1, in the County of Aroostook, consists of the 
minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Amity, Bancroft, Blaine, 
Bridgewater, Cary, Central Aroostook, Crystal, Dyer Brook, Easton, Fort Fairfield, 
Glenwood, Hammond, Haynesville, Hersey, Hodgdon, Houlton, Island Falls, 
Linneus, Littleton, Ludlow, Macwahoc, Mars Hill, Merrill, Monticello, Moro, New 
Limerick, Oakfield, Orient, Oxbow, Reed, Sherman, Smyrna, South Aroostook and 
Weston and the following census unit of the Penobscot River:  Block 4293 of Tract 
952900.  The term of office of the county commissioner from this district expires in 
2014 2022 and every 4 years thereafter.
B.  Commissioner District Number 2, in the County of Aroostook, consists of the 
minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Ashland, Caribou, Castle Hill, 
Chapman, Garfield, Mapleton, Masardis, Northwest Aroostook, Presque Isle, 
Washburn and Westfield.  The term of office of the county commissioner from this 
district expires in 2016 2020, and an election must be held in 2020 to fill the office 
for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the commissioner from this 
district expires every 4 years thereafter.
C.  Commissioner District Number 3, in the County of Aroostook, consists of the 
minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Allagash, Caswell, Connor 
Township, Cyr, Eagle Lake, Fort Kent, Frenchville, Grand Isle, Hamlin, Limestone, 
Madawaska, Nashville, New Canada, New Sweden, Perham, Portage Lake, Square 
Lake, St. Agatha, St. Francis, St. John, Stockholm, Van Buren, Wade, Wallagrass, 
Westmanland, Winterville and Woodland.  The term of office of the county 
commissioner from this district expires in 2016 2020, and an election must be held in 
2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the 
commissioner from this district expires every 4 years thereafter.
3.  Creation of Cumberland County Commissioner Districts.  Cumberland County 
is divided into the following 5 districts.
A.  Commissioner District Number 1, in the County of Cumberland, consists of the 
minor civil divisions of Baldwin, Bridgton, Gorham, Scarborough, Sebago and 
Standish.  The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires in 2016 
2020, and an election must be held in 2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, 
expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires 
every 4 years thereafter.
B.  Commissioner District Number 2, in the County of Cumberland, consists of the 
minor civil divisions of Casco, Falmouth, Frye Island, Gray, Harrison, Naples, New 
Gloucester, Raymond and Windham.  The term of office of the commissioner from 
this district expires in 2016 2020, and an election must be held in 2020 to fill the 
office for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the commissioner 
from this district expires every 4 years thereafter.
C.  Commissioner District Number 3, in the County of Cumberland, consists of the 
minor civil divisions of Brunswick, Chebeague Island, Cumberland, Freeport, 
Harpswell, Long Island, North Yarmouth, Pownal and Yarmouth.  The term of office 
of the commissioner from this district expires in 2014 2022 and every 4 years 
thereafter.
D.  Commissioner District Number 4, in the County of Cumberland, consists of the 
minor civil division of Cape Elizabeth; the following census units in the minor civil 
division of Portland:  Tract 002101; Blocks 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 
1006, 1029, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 
2018 and 2044 of Tract 002102; and Blocks 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 
1006, 1007, 1008, 1016, 1019, 2000 and 2001 of Tract 002200; and the minor civil 
divisions of South Portland and Westbrook.  The term of office of the commissioner 
from this district expires in 2014 2022 and every 4 years thereafter.
E.  Commissioner District Number 5, in the County of Cumberland, consists of the 
following census units in the minor civil division of Portland:  Tract 000100; Tract 
000200; Tract 000300; Tract 000500; Tract 000600; Tract 001000; Tract 001100; 
Tract 001200; Tract 001300; Tract 001500; Tract 001700; Tract 001800; Tract 
001900; Tract 002001; Tract 002002; Blocks 1007, 1008, 1009, 1010, 1011, 1012, 
1013, 1014, 1015, 1016, 1017, 1018, 1019, 1020, 1021, 1022, 1023, 1024, 1025, 
1026, 1027, 1028, 1030, 1031, 1032, 1033, 1034, 1035, 1036, 1037, 2000, 2007, 
2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 
2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, 2033, 2034, 2035, 2036, 2037, 2038, 2039, 
2040, 2041, 2042, 2043, 2045, 2046, 2047, 3000, 3001, 3002, 3003, 3004, 3005, 
3006 and 3007 of Tract 002102; Blocks 1009, 1010, 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 
1017, 1018, 1020, 1021, 1022, 1023, 1024, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 
2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 
2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031 and 2032 of Tract 
002200; Tract 002300; Tract 002400; and Blocks 0006, 0007, 0012, 0017, 0018, 
0019, 0021, 0022, 0023, 0024, 0026 and 0027 of Tract 990000.  The term of office of 
the commissioner from this district expires in 2014 2022 and every 4 years thereafter.
4.  Creation of Franklin County Commissioner Districts.  Franklin County is 
divided into the following 3 districts.
A.  Commissioner District Number 1, in the County of Franklin, consists of the minor 
civil divisions and unorganized territories of Carthage, Jay, South Franklin, Temple 
and Wilton.  The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires in 2016 
2020, and an election must be held in 2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, 
expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires 
every 4 years thereafter.
B.  Commissioner District Number 2, in the County of Franklin, consists of the minor 
civil divisions of Chesterville, Farmington and New Sharon.  The term of office of 
the commissioner from this district expires in 2016 2020, and an election must be 
held in 2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  The term of office 
of the commissioner from this district expires every 4 years thereafter.
C.  Commissioner District Number 3, in the County of Franklin, consists of the minor 
civil divisions and unorganized territories of Avon, Carrabassett Valley, Coplin, 
Dallas, East Central Franklin, Eustis, Industry, Kingfield, New Vineyard, North 
Franklin, Phillips, Rangeley, Rangeley Plantation, Sandy River, Strong, Weld, West 
Central Franklin and Wyman Township.  The term of office of the commissioner 
from this district expires in 2014 2022 and every 4 years thereafter.
5.  Creation of Hancock County Commissioner Districts.  Hancock County is 
divided into the following 3 districts.
A.  Commissioner District Number 1, in the County of Hancock, consists of the 
minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Amherst, Aurora, Blue Hill, 
Central Hancock, East Hancock, Eastbrook, Ellsworth, Gouldsboro, Great Pond, 
Mariaville, Northwest Hancock, Osborn, Otis, Sorrento, Sullivan, Surry, Waltham 
and Winter Harbor.  The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires 
in 2016 2020, and an election must be held in 2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, 
expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires 
every 4 years thereafter.
B.  Commissioner District Number 2, in the County of Hancock, consists of the 
minor civil divisions of Brooklin, Brooksville, Bucksport, Castine, Dedham, Deer 
Isle, Orland, Penobscot, Sedgwick, Stonington and Verona Island.  The term of office 
of the commissioner from this district expires in 2014 2022 and every 4 years 
thereafter.
C.  Commissioner District Number 3, in the County of Hancock, consists of the 
minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Bar Harbor, Cranberry Isles, 
Franklin, Frenchboro, Hancock, Lamoine, Marshall Island, Mount Desert, Southwest 
Harbor, Swan's Island, Tremont and Trenton.  The term of office of the commissioner 
from this district expires in 2016 2020, and an election must be held in 2020 to fill 
the office for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the commissioner 
from this district expires every 4 years thereafter.
6.  Creation of Kennebec County Commissioner Districts.  Kennebec County is 
divided into the following 3 districts.
A.  Commissioner District Number 1, in the County of Kennebec, consists of the 
minor civil divisions of Augusta, Chelsea, China, Manchester, Sidney, Vassalboro 
and Windsor.  The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires in 
2016 2020, and an election must be held in 2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, 
expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires 
every 4 years thereafter.
B.  Commissioner District Number 2, in the County of Kennebec, consists of the 
minor civil divisions of Farmingdale, Fayette, Gardiner, Hallowell, Litchfield, 
Monmouth, Mount Vernon, Pittston, Randolph, Readfield, Vienna, Wayne, West 
Gardiner and Winthrop.  The term of office of the commissioner from this district 
expires in 2014 2022 and every 4 years thereafter.
C.  Commissioner District Number 3, in the County of Kennebec, consists of the 
minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Albion, Belgrade, Benton, 
Clinton, Oakland, Rome, Unity Township, Waterville and Winslow.  The term of 
office of the commissioner from this district expires in 2016 2020, and an election 
must be held in 2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  The term 
of office of the commissioner from this district expires every 4 years thereafter.
7.  Creation of Knox County Commissioner Districts.  Knox County is divided 
into the following 3 districts.
A.  Commissioner District Number 1, in the County of Knox, consists of the minor 
civil divisions of Owls Head, Rockland, South Thomaston and Thomaston.  The term 
of office of the commissioner from this district expires in 2014 2022 and every 4 
years thereafter.
B.  Commissioner District Number 2, in the County of Knox, consists of the minor 
civil divisions of Cushing, Friendship, St. George, Union, Warren and Washington.  
The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires in 2016 2020, and 
an election must be held in 2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  
The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires every 4 years 
thereafter.
C.  Commissioner District Number 3, in the County of Knox, consists of the minor 
civil divisions and unorganized territories of Appleton, Camden, Criehaven, Hope, 
Isle au Haut, Matinicus Isle, Muscle Ridge Islands, North Haven, Rockport and 
Vinalhaven.  The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires in 2016 
2020, and an election must be held in 2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, 
expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires 
every 4 years thereafter.
8.  Creation of Lincoln County Commissioner Districts.  Lincoln County is 
divided into the following 3 districts.
A.  Commissioner District Number 1, in the County of Lincoln, consists of the minor 
civil divisions of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, Southport, Westport Island 
and Wiscasset.  The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires in 
2016 2020, and an election must be held in 2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, 
expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires 
every 4 years thereafter.
B.  Commissioner District Number 2, in the County of Lincoln, consists of the minor 
civil divisions and unorganized territories of Bremen, Bristol, Louds Island, 
Monhegan, Nobleboro, South Bristol and Waldoboro.  The term of office of the 
commissioner from this district expires in 2014 2022 and every 4 years thereafter.
C.  Commissioner District Number 3, in the County of Lincoln, consists of the minor 
civil divisions and unorganized territories of Alna, Damariscotta, Dresden, Hibberts 
Gore, Jefferson, Newcastle, Somerville and Whitefield.  The term of office of the 
commissioner from this district expires in 2016 2020, and an election must be held in 
2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the 
commissioner from this district expires every 4 years thereafter.
9.  Creation of Oxford County Commissioner Districts.  Oxford County is divided 
into the following 3 districts.
A.  Commissioner District Number 1, in the County of Oxford, consists of the minor 
civil divisions and unorganized territories of Brownfield, Denmark, Fryeburg, 
Greenwood, Hiram, Lovell, Norway, Porter, South Oxford, Stoneham, Stow, Sweden 
and Waterford.  The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires in 
2016 2020, and an election must be held in 2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, 
expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires 
every 4 years thereafter.
B.  Commissioner District Number 2, in the County of Oxford, consists of the minor 
civil divisions and unorganized territories of Andover, Bethel, Byron, Canton, 
Dixfield, Gilead, Hanover, Lincoln, Magalloway, Mexico, Milton Township, Newry, 
North Oxford, Peru, Roxbury, Rumford and Upton.  The term of office of the 
commissioner from this district expires in 2016 2020, and an election must be held in 
2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the 
commissioner from this district expires every 4 years thereafter.
C.  Commissioner District Number 3, in the County of Oxford, consists of the minor 
civil divisions of Buckfield, Hartford, Hebron, Otisfield, Oxford, Paris, Sumner, West 
Paris and Woodstock.  The term of office of the commissioner from this district 
expires in 2014 2022 and every 4 years thereafter.
10.  Creation of Penobscot County Commissioner Districts.  Penobscot County is 
divided into the following 3 districts.
A.  Commissioner District Number 1, in the County of Penobscot, consists of the 
minor civil divisions of Bangor, Brewer, Clifton, Eddington, Holden and Veazie.  
The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires in 2016 2020, and 
an election must be held in 2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  
The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires every 4 years 
thereafter.
B.  Commissioner District Number 2, in the County of Penobscot, consists of the 
minor civil divisions of Carmel, Charleston, Corinna, Corinth, Dexter, Dixmont, 
Etna, Exeter, Garland, Glenburn, Hampden, Hermon, Hudson, Kenduskeag, Levant, 
Newburgh, Newport, Orrington, Plymouth and Stetson.  The term of office of the 
commissioner from this district expires in 2016 2020, and an election must be held in 
2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the 
commissioner from this district expires every 4 years thereafter.
C.  Commissioner District Number 3, in the County of Penobscot, consists of the 
minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Alton; Argyle Township; 
Bradford; Bradley; Burlington; Carroll; Chester; Drew; East Central Penobscot; East 
Millinocket; Edinburg; Enfield; Greenbush; Howland; Kingman Township; 
Lagrange; Lakeville; Lee; Lincoln; Lowell; Mattawamkeag; Maxfield; Medway; 
Milford; Millinocket; Mount Chase; North Penobscot; Old Town; Orono; 
Passadumkeag; Patten; Penobscot Indian Island; Prentiss Township; Seboeis; 
Springfield; Stacyville; Twombly Ridge Township, T3R1 NBPP; Webster; Whitney 
(Pukakon) Township, T5R1 NBPP; Winn; and Woodville.  The term of office of the 
commissioner from this district expires in 2014 2022 and every 4 years thereafter.
11.  Creation of Piscataquis County Commissioner Districts.  Piscataquis County 
is divided into the following 3 districts.
A.  Commissioner District Number 1, in the County of Piscataquis, consists of the 
minor civil divisions of Abbot, Blanchard, Guilford, Kingsbury, Monson, Parkman, 
Sangerville, Shirley, Wellington and Willimantic.  The term of office of the 
commissioner from this district expires in 2014 2022 and every 4 years thereafter.
B.  Commissioner District Number 2, in the County of Piscataquis, consists of the 
minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Atkinson, Bowerbank, Dover-
Foxcroft, Medford, Sebec and Orneville Township.  The term of office of the 
commissioner from this district expires in 2016 2020, and an election must be held in 
2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the 
commissioner from this district expires every 4 years thereafter.
C.  Commissioner District Number 3, in the County of Piscataquis, consists of the 
minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Beaver Cove, Brownville, 
Greenville, Lake View, Milo, Northeast Piscataquis and Northwest Piscataquis.  The 
term of office of the commissioner from this district expires in 2016 2020, and an 
election must be held in 2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  
The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires every 4 years 
thereafter.
12.  Creation of Sagadahoc County Commissioner Districts.  Sagadahoc County is 
divided into the following 3 districts.
A.  Commissioner District Number 1, in the County of Sagadahoc, consists of the 
minor civil divisions of Bowdoin and Topsham.  The term of office of the 
commissioner from this district expires in 2016 2020, and an election must be held in 
2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the 
commissioner from this district expires every 4 years thereafter.
B.  Commissioner District Number 2, in the County of Sagadahoc, consists of the 
minor civil divisions of Bath and Bowdoinham.  The term of office of the 
commissioner from this district expires in 2014 2022 and every 4 years thereafter.
C.  Commissioner District Number 3, in the County of Sagadahoc, consists of the 
minor civil divisions of Arrowsic, Georgetown, Perkins Island, Phippsburg, 
Richmond, West Bath and Woolwich.  The term of office of the commissioner from 
this district expires in 2016 2020, and an election must be held in 2020 to fill the 
office for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the commissioner 
from this district expires every 4 years thereafter.
13.  Creation of Somerset County Commissioner Districts.  Somerset County is 
divided into the following 5 districts.
A.  Commissioner District Number 1, in the County of Somerset, consists of the 
minor civil divisions of Fairfield and Norridgewock.  The term of office of the 
commissioner from this district expires in 2016 2020, and an election must be held in 
2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the 
commissioner from this district expires every 4 years thereafter.
B.  Commissioner District Number 2, in the County of Somerset, consists of the 
minor civil divisions of Anson, Madison, Mercer, New Portland, Smithfield and 
Starks.  The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires in 2016 
2020, and an election must be held in 2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, 
expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires 
every 4 years thereafter.
C.  Commissioner District Number 3, in the County of Somerset, consists of the 
minor civil divisions of Cambridge, Detroit, Palmyra, Pittsfield, Ripley and St. 
Albans.  The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires in 2014 
2022 and every 4 years thereafter.
D.  Commissioner District Number 4, in the County of Somerset, consists of the 
minor civil divisions of Canaan and Skowhegan.  The term of office of the 
commissioner from this district expires in 2014 2022 and every 4 years thereafter.
E.  Commissioner District Number 5, in the County of Somerset, consists of the 
minor civil divisions and unorganized territories of Athens, Bingham, Brighton, 
Caratunk, Central Somerset, Cornville, Dennistown Plantation, Embden, Harmony, 
Hartland, Highland, Jackman, Moose River, Moscow, Northeast Somerset, Northwest 
Somerset, Pleasant Ridge, Seboomook Lake, Solon, The Forks and West Forks.  The 
term of office of the commissioner from this district expires in 2014 2022 and every 4 
years thereafter.
14.  Creation of Waldo County Commissioner Districts.  Waldo County is divided 
into the following 3 districts.
A.  Commissioner District Number 1, in the County of Waldo, consists of the minor 
civil divisions of Belfast, Belmont, Islesboro, Lincolnville, Morrill, Northport and 
Waldo.  The term of office of the commissioner from this district expires in 2014 
2022 and every 4 years thereafter.
B.  Commissioner District Number 2, in the County of Waldo, consists of the minor 
civil divisions of Frankfort, Jackson, Monroe, Prospect, Searsport, Stockton Springs, 
Swanville and Winterport.  The term of office of the commissioner from this district 
expires in 2016 2020, and an election must be held in 2020 to fill the office for a 
2-year term, expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the commissioner from this 
district expires every 4 years thereafter.
C.  Commissioner District Number 3, in the County of Waldo, consists of the minor 
civil divisions of Brooks, Burnham, Freedom, Knox, Liberty, Montville, Palermo, 
Searsmont, Thorndike, Troy and Unity.  The term of office of the commissioner from 
this district expires in 2016 2020, and an election must be held in 2020 to fill the 
office for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the commissioner 
from this district expires every 4 years thereafter.
15.  Creation of Washington County Commissioner Districts.  Washington 
County is divided into the following 3 districts.
A.  Commissioner District Number 1, in Washington County, consists of the minor 
civil divisions and unorganized territories of Alexander, Baileyville, Baring, 
Beddington, Calais, Charlotte, Codyville, Cooper, Crawford, Danforth, Deblois, 
Grand Lake Stream, Marshfield, Meddybemps, North Washington, Northfield, 
Passamaquoddy Indian Township, Princeton, Robbinston, Talmadge, Topsfield, 
Vanceboro, Waite, Wesley and Whitneyville.  The term of office of the commissioner 
from this district expires in 2016 2020, and an election must be held in 2020 to fill 
the office for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the commissioner 
from this district expires every 4 years thereafter.
B.  Commissioner District Number 2, in Washington County, consists of the minor 
civil divisions and unorganized territories of Cutler, Dennysville, East Central 
Washington, East Machias, Eastport, Lubec, Machias, Passamaquoddy Pleasant 
Point, Pembroke, Perry and Whiting.  The term of office of the commissioner from 
this district expires in 2016 2020, and an election must be held in 2020 to fill the 
office for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the commissioner 
from this district expires every 4 years thereafter.
C.  Commissioner District Number 3, in Washington County, consists of the minor 
civil divisions of Addison, Beals, Cherryfield, Columbia, Columbia Falls, Harrington, 
Jonesboro, Jonesport, Machiasport, Milbridge, Roque Bluffs and Steuben.  The term 
of office of the commissioner from this district expires in 2014 2022 and every 4 
years thereafter.
16.  Creation of York County Commissioner Districts.  York County is divided 
into the following 5 districts.
A.  Commissioner District Number 1, in the County of York, consists of the minor 
civil divisions of Acton, Berwick, Cornish, Lebanon, Limerick, Limington, Newfield, 
North Berwick, Parsonsfield and South Berwick.  The term of office of the 
commissioner from this district expires in 2014 2022 and every 4 years thereafter.
B.  Commissioner District Number 2, in the County of York, consists of the minor 
civil divisions of Arundel, Biddeford, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport.  The term of 
office of the commissioner from this district expires in 2014 2022 and every 4 years 
thereafter.
C.  Commissioner District Number 3, in the County of York, consists of the minor 
civil divisions of Buxton, Dayton, Hollis, Old Orchard Beach and Saco.  The term of 
office of the commissioner from this district expires in 2014 2022 and every 4 years 
thereafter.
D.  Commissioner District Number 4, in the County of York, consists of the minor 
civil divisions of Alfred, Lyman, Sanford, Shapleigh and Waterboro.  The term of 
office of the commissioner from this district expires in 2016 2020, and an election 
must be held in 2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  The term 
of office of the commissioner from this district expires every 4 years thereafter.
E.  Commissioner District Number 5, in the County of York, consists of the minor 
civil divisions of Eliot, Kittery, Ogunquit, Wells and York.  The term of office of the 
commissioner from this district expires in 2016 2020, and an election must be held in 
2020 to fill the office for a 2-year term, expiring in 2022.  The term of office of the 
commissioner from this district expires every 4 years thereafter.
Sec. 5.  Term of office of county commissioners.  Notwithstanding the 
provisions of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, section 62, subsection 1, the term of 
office of a county commissioner elected in 2020 is 2 years, expiring in 2022.
SUMMARY
This bill amends the provisions regarding the election and appointment of county 
commissioners in the following ways:
1.  It requires that, in the case when a party is eligible to choose a candidate or 
nominee for a primary, general or special election for county commissioner by political 
committee, the members of the county political committee who reside within the 
boundaries of the district subject to the election make the choice of candidate or nominee;
2.  It clarifies that, in the case of a vacancy during the term of office of a county 
commissioner that occurs prior to the general election held in the 2nd year of the term, a 
special election must be held to elect a new county commissioner for that district for the 
last 2 years of the term, and requires that the election be held within the boundaries that 
existed at the time of the original election for that term;
3.  It requires that when a county commissioner appointed by the Governor to fill a 
vacancy must be enrolled in the same political party as the commissioner whose term is 
vacant, the Governor is required to choose from any recommendations submitted by the 
members of the county committee of the political party from which the appointment is to 
be made who reside within the boundaries of the district with the vacancy that existed at 
the time of the initial election for that term;
4.  It requires that, for the apportionment plan of county districts after a decennial 
census, the plan take effect on the 2nd year after the decennial census for the year 2020 
and every 20 years thereafter and the plan take effect on the 4th year after the decennial 
census for the year 2030 and every 20 years thereafter; and
5.  It amends the provisions creating each county's commissioner districts to eliminate 
staggered terms of commissioners so that, beginning in 2022, each 4-year commissioner 
term expires in a year in which there is a gubernatorial election.