An Act to Repeal the Laws That Allow Same-day Voter Registration
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 0349
Sponsors: BAGSHAW, BRADSTREET
Amends: 21-A MRSA §121-A, 21-A MRSA §122

Legislative Document
No. 349
H.P. 249
House of Representatives, February 3, 2025
An Act to Repeal the Laws That Allow Same-day Voter Registration
Received by the Clerk of the House on January 30, 2025.  Referred to the Committee on 
Veterans and Legal Affairs pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint 
Rule 401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative BAGSHAW of Windham.
Cosponsored by Senator BRADSTREET of Kennebec and
Representatives: HAGGAN of Hampden, JAVNER of Chester, LIBBY of Auburn, LYMAN of 
Livermore Falls, RUDNICKI of Fairfield, SCHMERSAL-BURGESS of Mexico, Senators: 
LIBBY of Cumberland, MOORE of Washington.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  21-A MRSA §121-A, as amended by PL 2023, c. 291, §2 and affected by 
§4, is further amended to read:
§121-A.  Deadline for registration
The deadline for receipt of voter registration applications submitted by mail or by a 3rd 
person is the close of business on the 21st day before election day.  The deadline for receipt 
of voter registration applications submitted online is midnight on the 21st day before 
election day.  The deadline for receipt of voter registration applications transmitted by the 
Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles pursuant to section 232 or 
by a source agency other than the Bureau of Motor Vehicles pursuant to section 233 is 
midnight on the 7th day before election day.  The deadline for in-person registration is the 
close of the polls on business on the last Thursday before election day.
Sec. 2.  21-A MRSA §122, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2005, c. 453, §16, is repealed.
Sec. 3.  21-A MRSA §122, sub-§5, as amended by PL 2013, c. 131, §7, is further 
amended to read:
5.  Alternative registration schedule for absentee voters.  If the clerk receives a 
properly completed absentee ballot application that is signed by a person who is not a 
registered voter in the municipality, a presumption of the person's qualification as a voter 
is established.  The clerk shall send an absentee ballot to the voter at the address indicated, 
along with a voter registration application under section 152.  The completed registration 
application must be returned to the clerk by the close of the polls on business on the last 
Thursday before election day in order for the ballot to be counted and may not be sealed 
with the voted absentee ballot.  If the application is received during the closed period and 
the registrar is not satisfied as to the person's qualification as a voter, the registrar shall 
follow the requirements of section 121, subsection 1‑A to place the person's name on the 
incoming voting list and challenge the absentee ballot.  An application by telephone under 
section 753‑A, subsection 4 or an application by electronic means under section 753‑A, 
subsection 6 does not establish a presumption of qualification under this section and the 
requestor must submit a properly completed voter registration application before the clerk 
may issue an absentee ballot.
Sec. 4.  21-A MRSA §122, sub-§6, ¶A, as amended by PL 2005, c. 453, §18, is 
further amended by amending subparagraph (1) to read:
(1)  In a municipality with a population of 2,500 or fewer, on the last business day 
Thursday that the clerk's office is open before election day during the hours that 
the clerk's office is open;
Sec. 5.  21-A MRSA §122, sub-§6, ¶A, as amended by PL 2005, c. 453, §18, is 
further amended by amending subparagraph (2) to read:
(2)  In a municipality with a population of more than 2,500, on the last 5 business 
days Thursday that the clerk's office is open before election day, and for the 4 
business days prior to the last Thursday before election day, during the hours that 
the clerk's office is open and for 2 hours in the evening between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. 
on at least one of these days; and
Sec. 6.  21-A MRSA §122, sub-§9, as amended by PL 2003, c. 395, §1, is further 
amended to read:
9.  Regulation of registration monitors.  Anyone who wishes to monitor the names 
and addresses of persons who are registering at the registrar's office or the clerk's office 
shall inform the registrar or clerk of that intent.  Anyone who wishes to monitor the names 
and addresses of persons who are registering at the polling place shall inform the registrar 
or clerk of that intent by submitting a written, signed statement containing the proposed 
monitor's name, address and intent.  The registrar or clerk may designate a place where a 
person monitoring registrations may stand.  The registrar or clerk shall then announce the 
name and address of individuals registering to vote in a loud and clear voice.  A person 
monitoring registrations shall direct any questions the person has to the registrar or clerk.  
These questions must be limited to information pertinent to the qualifications of an 
individual to register.  A person monitoring registrations may not ask questions of 
individuals waiting to register concerning their eligibility to vote.  A polling place 
registration monitor may not handle or inspect registration cards, files or other materials 
used by the registrar or clerk except as provided in section 22.  A monitor may not inhibit 
the work of the registrar or clerk.  If the work of a registrar or clerk appears to be inhibited, 
the warden may request a reduction in the number of monitors present in the polling place.  
A registrar or clerk may require a person monitoring registrations who violates the 
provisions of this subsection to leave the building.
SUMMARY
This bill makes changes to the deadline for in-person voter registration.  Current law 
permits in-person voter registration up to the close of business on election day.  The bill 
changes the deadline to the close of business on the Thursday before election day.