An Act to Require Photograph Identification for Voting
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1365
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
Sponsors: PAUL, KEIM, BAGSHAW, HYMES, LAVIGNE, QUINT, SMITH, UNDERWOOD, WHITE, STEWART
Amends: 21-A MRSA §112-A, 21-A MRSA §671, 21-A MRSA §752, 21-A MRSA §754-B

Legislative Document
No. 1365
H.P. 879
House of Representatives, March 28, 2023
An Act to Require Photograph Identification for Voting
Reference to the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative PAUL of Winterport.
Cosponsored by Senator KEIM of Oxford and
Representatives: BAGSHAW of Windham, HYMES of Waldo, LAVIGNE of Berwick, 
QUINT of Hodgdon, SMITH of Palermo, UNDERWOOD of Presque Isle, WHITE of 
Guilford, Senator: STEWART of Aroostook.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  21-A MRSA §112-A, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2021, c. 246, §1, is further 
amended to read:
3.  Other official documents.  An official document, including, but not limited to, a 
document confirming eligibility determinations for public benefits, a utility bill, a bank 
statement, a government check, a paycheck or other government document that shows the 
name and address of the voter; or
Sec. 2.  21-A MRSA §112-A, sub-§3-A, as enacted by PL 2021, c. 246, §2, is 
repealed.
Sec. 3.  21-A MRSA §671, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2019, c. 371, §20, is further 
amended to read:
1.  Name announced; photograph identification.  A voter who wishes to vote must 
present proof of identity in the form of a photograph identification document and 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.  For purposes of this subsection, "photograph 
identification document" means a valid driver's license or nondriver identification card 
issued in this State, a United States passport, a military identification or a permit to carry a 
concealed handgun issued under Title 25, chapter 252 if that permit includes a photograph.  
"Photograph identification document" does not include an identification issued by a college 
or university in this State. 
Sec. 4.  21-A MRSA §671, sub-§9 is enacted to read:
9.  Special voter photograph identification card.  Notwithstanding subsection 1, a 
voter who wishes to vote and who does not possess a photograph identification document 
may request from the Secretary of State a special voter photograph identification card, 
which must be issued free of charge and is valid for voter identification under this section.  
The Secretary of State shall establish procedures through rulemaking for the issuance of 
special voter photograph identification cards under this subsection.  Rules adopted pursuant 
to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 
2-A.
Sec. 5.  21-A MRSA §752, sub-§5 is enacted to read:
5.  Form of photograph identification notice.  The Secretary of State shall design or 
approve the form of notice informing the voter that a copy of a photograph identification 
document must be submitted with the absentee ballot in accordance with section 754-B.
Sec. 6.  21-A MRSA §754-B is enacted to read:
§754-B.  Photograph identification required
1.  Photograph identification document.  For the purposes of this section, 
"photograph identification document" has the same meaning as in section 671, subsection 
1.
2.  Photograph identification.  A voter who wishes to vote by absentee ballot must 
submit with the absentee ballot proof of identity in the form of a copy of a photograph 
identification document or a special voter photograph identification card as described in 
subsection 3.
3.  Special voter photograph identification.  A voter who wishes to vote by absentee 
ballot and who does not possess a photograph identification document may request from 
the Secretary of State a special voter photograph identification card pursuant to section 671, 
subsection 9.
4.  Rules.  The Secretary of State shall adopt rules to implement this section.  Rules 
adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 
375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 7.  Effective date.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2024.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the presentation of proof of identity in the form of a photograph 
identification document when voting in person or by absentee ballot.  Acceptable 
photograph identification is a valid driver's license or nondriver identification card issued 
in this State, a United States passport, a military identification or a permit to carry a 
concealed handgun issued in this State if that permit includes a photograph.  An 
identification issued by a college or university in this State may not be accepted for voter 
identification when voting or when registering to vote.  The bill also allows a person who 
does not possess a photograph identification document to request a free special voter 
photograph identification card from the Secretary of State.