reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
21-A ME Rev Stat § 662 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 9: CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS|Subchapter 2: ELECTION PROCEDURE|Article 2: POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICIALS|21-A §662. Warden

 §662. Warden A warden has the following powers and duties.   [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]1.  Enforcement of election law.  The warden shall enforce the law governing voting and counting procedures at the voting place over which the warden has jurisdiction on election day.   [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §54 (COR).] 2.  Order at voting place.  The warden shall keep order at all times in and around the voting place. The warden shall direct that any person who creates a disturbance or otherwise violates the law at the voting place be removed from it and, if necessary, confined until the polls are closed.   A. On request of the warden, a peace officer shall remove, confine or arrest a person who creates a disturbance or otherwise violates the law at a voting place.   [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).][RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §55 (COR).] 3.  Control of election clerk.  The election clerks at the voting place are under the supervision and control of the warden. The warden may assign their duties for convenience and efficiency and may delegate the warden's ministerial duties to them.   [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §56 (COR).] 4.  Collection of signatures.  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 direct the removal, under subsection 2, paragraph A, of any person collecting signatures who does not comply with the requirements of this subsection.   [PL 1995, c. 459, §57 (AMD).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW). PL 1987, c. 225 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 459, §57 (AMD). RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §§54-56 (COR).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 663 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 9: CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS|Subchapter 2: ELECTION PROCEDURE|Article 2: POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICIALS|21-A §663. Authority of Secretary of State during emergencies

 §663. Authority of Secretary of State during emergencies The Secretary of State may act administratively to facilitate voting by civilian registered voters of this State who live in an area within the United States that is affected by a natural disaster or other occurrence for which the governor of that state has declared a state of emergency covering that area, or for registered voters of this State who are emergency workers, utility workers or others responding to and offering assistance to the area in which a state of emergency has been declared. These administrative actions may include, but are not limited to, central issuance and receipt of absentee ballots for federal and state elections using the systems and procedures developed for uniformed service voters and overseas voters.   [PL 2013, c. 131, §18 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 2013, c. 131, §18 (NEW).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 672 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 9: CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS|Subchapter 2: ELECTION PROCEDURE|Article 3: VOTING AND CHALLENGES|21-A §672. Assistance

 §672. Assistance A voter who is unable to read or mark the ballot because of physical disability, illiteracy or religious faith may request another person, other than the voter's employer or agent of that employer or officer or agent of the voter's union, to assist the voter in reading the ballot or marking the ballot according to the voter's wishes. When assisting a voter, the aide may not tell the voter how to make the voter's choices or otherwise influence the voter in violation of section 682.   [PL 2007, c. 455, §30 (AMD).]1.  Assistance by election officials.  The voter may request one or more election officials to assist.   [PL 1985, c. 614, §18 (NEW).] 2.  Assistance by persons not voters.  The assistant need not be a voter or of voting age.   [PL 1985, c. 614, §18 (NEW).] 3.  Assistance in reading the ballot.   [PL 2007, c. 455, §30 (RP).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW). PL 1985, c. 614, §18 (RPR). PL 1993, c. 255, §4 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 455, §30 (AMD).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 681 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 9: CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS|Subchapter 2: ELECTION PROCEDURE|Article 4: RESTRICTIONS|21-A §681. Positions at polling place

 §681. Positions at polling place 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 the 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. If a person attempts to influence voters or interfere with their free passage, the warden shall have the person removed from the voting place. A person video recording in the voting place must remain outside the guardrail and may not conduct video recording closer than 15 feet from a voter being recorded, including when a voter is where a person is collecting voters' signatures. A person who video records 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 2015, c. 422, §1 (AMD).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 33, §1 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 426, §21 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 310, §36 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 455, §§34, 35 (AMD). PL 2015, c. 422, §1 (AMD).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 691 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 9: CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS|Subchapter 2: ELECTION PROCEDURE|Article 5: MARKING, COUNTING AND HANDLING OF BALLOTS|21-A §691. Marking ballots; primary election

 §691. Marking ballots; primary election A voter shall mark the ballot at a primary election as instructed in the directions on the ballot.   [PL 1993, c. 473, §21 (AMD); PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF).]1.  Individual candidate method.  The voter must mark the ballot as instructed in the directions on the ballot to indicate the name of each candidate for nomination for whom the voter wishes to vote.   [PL 1993, c. 473, §21 (AMD); PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF).] 2.  Write-in vote.  If the voter wishes to vote for a write-in candidate, the voter must write the name of the candidate in the blank space provided at the end of the list of candidates for nomination to the office in question. The voter must then mark the ballot as instructed in the directions on the ballot to indicate a vote for the write-in candidate. A sticker may not be used to vote for a write-in candidate.   [PL 2009, c. 253, §29 (AMD).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 473, §21 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF). PL 2007, c. 455, §36 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 253, §29 (AMD).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 692 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 9: CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS|Subchapter 2: ELECTION PROCEDURE|Article 5: MARKING, COUNTING AND HANDLING OF BALLOTS|21-A §692. General election

 §692. General election A voter shall mark the ballot at a general election as instructed in the directions on the ballot.   [PL 1993, c. 473, §22 (AMD); PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF).]1.  Individual candidate method.  The voter must mark the ballot as instructed in the directions on the ballot to indicate a vote for the name of each nominee for whom the voter wishes to vote, regardless of political designation, but must follow directions as to the number of nominees to be elected to each office.   [PL 1993, c. 473, §22 (AMD); PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF).] 2.  Write-in vote.  If the voter wishes to vote for a write-in candidate, the voter must write the name of the candidate in the blank space provided at the end of the list of nominees for the office in question. The voter must then mark the ballot as instructed in the directions on the ballot. A sticker may not be used to vote for a write-in candidate.   [PL 2009, c. 253, §30 (AMD).] 3.  Referendum question.  In voting on a referendum question, the voter shall mark the ballot as instructed in the directions on the ballot.   [PL 1993, c. 473, §22 (AMD); PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 473, §22 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF). PL 2009, c. 253, §30 (AMD).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 693 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 9: CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS|Subchapter 2: ELECTION PROCEDURE|Article 5: MARKING, COUNTING AND HANDLING OF BALLOTS|21-A §693. Spoiled ballots

 §693. Spoiled ballots If a voter spoils a ballot, the voter may obtain a replacement, not more than twice, by returning the spoiled ballot to the election clerk in charge of issuing ballots. The warden, ward clerk or deputy warden shall write "Spoiled by voter" on the spoiled ballot and sign it. If a replacement ballot is issued to the voter, the warden, ward clerk or deputy warden shall also mark "Replacement ballot issued" on the spoiled ballot. The election official shall then segregate the spoiled ballot with any other spoiled ballots in an envelope labeled "Spoiled ballots" and shall package and return the envelope of segregated ballots in accordance with section 698. The Secretary of State shall provide the clerk of each municipality with either a label and instructions on proper handling of spoiled ballots or a special envelope printed with this label and instructions.   [PL 2003, c. 298, §1 (AMD).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW). PL 1995, c. 459, §63 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 436, §99 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 298, §1 (AMD).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 694 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 9: CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS|Subchapter 2: ELECTION PROCEDURE|Article 5: MARKING, COUNTING AND HANDLING OF BALLOTS|21-A §694. Voting list signed (REPEALED)

 §694. Voting list signed (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 447, §15 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 310, §38 (RP).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 695 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 9: CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS|Subchapter 2: ELECTION PROCEDURE|Article 5: MARKING, COUNTING AND HANDLING OF BALLOTS|21-A §695. Counting of ballots

 §695. Counting of ballots Except for elections determined by ranked-choice voting, the following provisions apply to the counting of ballots. The election clerks shall count the ballots under the supervision of the warden as soon as the polls are closed, except that if, in the opinion of the municipal clerk the public interests will best be served, referendum ballots may be counted on the day immediately following the election, as long as the count is completed within 24 hours after the polls are closed. If referendum ballots are counted under this exception, the municipal clerk is responsible for the security and safekeeping of the ballots until the count has been completed.   [PL 2017, c. 316, §4 (AMD).]1.  Counted in public.  The ballots must be counted publicly so that those present may observe the proceedings.   [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] 2.  Separated into lots.  In counting the ballots, the election clerks shall form into counting teams of 2 election clerks, each of whom has a different party affiliation. The counting teams shall separate the ballots into distinct lots. Each of these lots must consist of 50 ballots, except for one lot, which may have less than 50 ballots. Each counting team shall use one of the approved counting methods prescribed by the Secretary of State to produce 2 tally sheets for each lot that are in complete agreement as to the count for each candidate and question choice. They shall place with each lot one of the tally sheets for that lot that is signed by the election clerks who made the count. They shall wrap the tally sheet around the outside of the applicable lot of ballots. The 2nd tally sheet for each lot must be provided to the warden for use in completing a total tally of each office and question and for completing the election return.   [PL 2009, c. 253, §31 (AMD).] 3.  Results declared.  As soon as the ballots are counted, the warden shall declare the results publicly at the voting place.   [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] 4.  Instructions.  The Secretary of State may issue to each warden instructions on opening the ballot boxes, separating various types of ballots and giving priority in counting various types of ballots.   [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] 5.  Uniformity.  The Secretary of State shall design and print uniform tabulation sheets to be used by the workers at the polls. The Secretary of State shall write, print and distribute to wardens instructions on the use of that material and require the use of a uniform system of counting and tabulation.   [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] 6.  Stickers.   [PL 2013, c. 131, §19 (RP).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW). PL 1985, c. 383, §12 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 516, §10 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 455, §37 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 253, §31 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 131, §19 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 316, §4 (AMD).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 697 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 9: CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS|Subchapter 2: ELECTION PROCEDURE|Article 5: MARKING, COUNTING AND HANDLING OF BALLOTS|21-A §697. Use of red pens by election officials

 §697. Use of red pens by election officials An election official must use pens or pencils containing only red ink or red lead during the conduct of official election business on election day.   [PL 2001, c. 310, §43 (AMD).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 447, §15 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 459, §65 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 310, §43 (AMD).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 699 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 9: CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS|Subchapter 2: ELECTION PROCEDURE|Article 5: MARKING, COUNTING AND HANDLING OF BALLOTS|21-A §699. Sealing of ballot container

 §699. Sealing of ballot container When a container is required to be sealed, it shall be done so that the seal on the container must be broken before its contents can be examined.   [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 700 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 9: CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS|Subchapter 2: ELECTION PROCEDURE|Article 5: MARKING, COUNTING AND HANDLING OF BALLOTS|21-A §700. Posting unofficial results

 §700. Posting unofficial results As soon as practicable after the election return is prepared under section 711, if a secure place is available at the voting place or municipal office where the public may view a paper copy of the unofficial election results even when the voting place or municipal office is closed, an election official shall post a paper copy of the unofficial results of the election. For elections determined by ranked‑choice voting, an election official shall post a paper copy of the results of the first choice votes cast.   [PL 2019, c. 320, §6 (AMD).]SECTION HISTORY PL 2015, c. 146, §1 (NEW). PL 2019, c. 320, §6 (AMD).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 712 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 9: CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS|Subchapter 2: ELECTION PROCEDURE|Article 6: RETURNS|21-A §712. Return not delivered (REPEALED)

 §712. Return not delivered (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 473, §27 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF). PL 2015, c. 447, §24 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 371, §25 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 636, §15 (RP).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 721 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 9: CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS|Subchapter 3: POST ELECTION PROCEDURE|Article 1: TABULATION AND RESULTS|21-A §721. Reports of registration and enrollment

 §721. Reports of registration and enrollment Within 15 business days after any statewide election, the registrar shall update all information in the central voter registration system for all voters in the municipality to reflect any voter registration activity after the incoming voting list was printed for that election and up until the close of the polls on election day. The registrar shall also enter any designations of challenged ballots in the applicable voter records in the central voter registration system. The registrar shall notify the Secretary of State as soon as these tasks are complete.   [PL 2015, c. 447, §25 (AMD).]After the registrar has completed the update of the central voter registration system, as required by this section, and no later than 45 business days after the election, unless a recount has been requested pursuant to section 737-A, the clerk shall update the central voter registration system by entering voter participation history for that election. The clerk shall notify the Secretary of State as soon as this task is completed.   [PL 2015, c. 447, §25 (AMD).]In a municipality in which a recount has been requested pursuant to section 737-A, the clerk shall update the central voter registration system by entering voter participation history for that election within 20 business days after receiving the incoming voting list that has been returned by the Secretary of State after the recount. The clerk shall notify the Secretary of State as soon as this task is completed.   [PL 2015, c. 447, §25 (AMD).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW). PL 1991, c. 466, §22 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 447, §16 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 453, §57 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 253, §35 (AMD). PL 2015, c. 447, §25 (AMD).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 722 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 9: CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS|Subchapter 3: POST ELECTION PROCEDURE|Article 1: TABULATION AND RESULTS|21-A §722. Secretary of State to tabulate and print results

 §722. Secretary of State to tabulate and print results Within 20 days after an election, the Secretary of State shall tabulate the election returns and submit a certified copy of the tabulation to the Governor. The tabulation of a candidate or referendum election is considered final as of the date the certified copy is submitted to the Governor, except for any contests in which a recount is pending.   [PL 2019, c. 371, §26 (AMD).]1.  How tabulated.  The Secretary of State shall tabulate all votes that appear by an election return to have been cast for each question or candidate whose name appeared on the ballot. For elections determined by ranked-choice voting, the Secretary of State shall tabulate the votes according to the ranked-choice voting method described in section 723‑A. The Secretary of State shall tabulate the votes that appear by an election return to have been cast for a declared write-in candidate pursuant to section 722-A.   [PL 2019, c. 371, §26 (AMD).] 1-A.  Form of tabulation.  The tabulation must include the total votes for each question choice or candidate whose name appeared on the ballot. The tabulation also must include the total votes for any declared write-in candidates as follows.   A. For a write-in candidate who receives 5% or more of the votes cast for that office, the Secretary of State shall report the votes under the candidate's name.   [PL 2009, c. 253, §36 (NEW).]B. For a write-in candidate who receives less than 5% of the votes cast for that office, the Secretary of State shall report the votes under the designation "others."   [PL 2009, c. 253, §36 (NEW).][PL 2019, c. 371, §26 (AMD).] 2.  Correction of return.  If it appears that an election return does not agree with the record of the vote at any voting place, the Secretary of State shall correct the tabulation by obtaining a certified copy of the record from the clerk.   [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] 3.  Tabulation printed.  The Secretary of State shall have copies of the tabulation printed and made available to the public.   [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 695, §30 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 436, §104 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 426, §23 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 516, §13 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 253, §36 (AMD). IB 2015, c. 3, §4 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 141, §2 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 316, §5 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 371, §26 (AMD).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 722-A (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 9: CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS|Subchapter 3: POST ELECTION PROCEDURE|Article 1: TABULATION AND RESULTS|21-A §722-A. Determination of declared write-in candidate

 §722-A. Determination of declared write-in candidate To be considered a declared write-in candidate, a person must file a declaration of write-in candidacy with the Secretary of State, on a form approved by the Secretary of State, on or before 5 p.m. on the 60th day prior to the election. The candidate must meet all the other qualifications for that office.   [PL 2015, c. 447, §26 (AMD).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1999, c. 426, §24 (NEW). PL 2007, c. 455, §40 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 253, §37 (AMD). PL 2015, c. 447, §26 (AMD).