2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS › Chapter 3: VOTER REGISTRATION › Subchapter 1: REGISTRAR OF VOTERS › 21-A §101. Registrar

§101. Registrar
1.  Qualifications.
The registrar must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of the State and at least 18 years of age. The registrar may not be an employee of a party or candidate or be an officer of a municipal, county or state party committee. In the electoral division in which the registrar is appointed, the registrar may not:
A. Hold or be a candidate for any federal, state or county office;   [PL 2015, c. 447, §1 (AMD).]
B. Be a treasurer for a candidate; or   [PL 2009, c. 538, §4 (NEW).]
C. Be a municipal officer as defined by Title 30‑A, section 2001.   [PL 2009, c. 538, §4 (NEW).]
[PL 2015, c. 447, §1 (AMD).]
2.  Appointment.
The municipal officers of each municipality shall appoint in writing a qualified registrar of voters by January 1st of each odd-numbered year. The registrar shall serve for 2 years and until a successor is appointed and sworn. The municipal clerk may be appointed to serve as registrar, but the term of the clerk has no effect on the term of the registrar. If the clerk is not appointed to serve as registrar, the clerk must be appointed by the registrar to serve as a deputy registrar and has the same authority as the registrar to make determinations of voter eligibility and to perform the duties of voter registration as provided in this Title.
[PL 2005, c. 568, §3 (AMD).]
3.  Oath required.
Before assuming the duties of office, the registrar must be sworn and the oath recorded as provided in Title 30‑A, section 2526, subsection 9.
[PL 1997, c. 436, §16 (AMD).]
4.  Secretary of State notified.
The clerk shall notify the Secretary of State of the name of the registrar within 10 days after the registrar is appointed and sworn by revising the election official's information listing within the central voter registration system.
[PL 2005, c. 453, §8 (AMD).]
5.  Compensation.
The municipal officers shall determine the compensation of the registrar.
[PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
6.  Office hours.
The municipal officers shall establish reasonable office hours for the registrar consistent with the requirements of the municipality.
[PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
7.  Office space, expenses and clerical help.
Each municipality shall provide a suitable place in which the registrar may perform the registrar's duties, and shall pay reasonable expenses for necessary office supplies purchased and clerical help engaged by the registrar.
[RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §33 (COR).]
8.  Vacancy.
When there is a vacancy in the office of registrar, the municipal officers shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term of office. If the municipal officers fail to appoint a registrar to fill the vacancy within 15 days after the municipal officers receive notification of the vacancy, the municipal clerk shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term of office.
[PL 1997, c. 436, §18 (AMD).]
9.  Training.
The registrar shall attend a training session that is approved by the Secretary of State at least once every 2 years in regard to the conduct of voter registration. The training must include, but is not limited to, training on the de-escalation of conflicts and the process for reporting threats to or harassment of public officials related to the conduct of federal, state or municipal elections to the Secretary of State.
[PL 2021, c. 568, §3 (AMD).]
10.  Ineligible to serve.
When a registrar or a member of the registrar's immediate family becomes a candidate for federal, state, local or county office in the electoral division in which the registrar is appointed, the registrar may not serve as registrar during the period beginning when the candidate files a petition to be a candidate or is nominated to be a replacement candidate until the time of election. The registrar shall instead appoint a deputy who must be compensated by the municipality for the duration of the deputy's temporary employment in that capacity.
[PL 2015, c. 447, §2 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW). PL 1987, c. 737, §§C62,C106 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 104, §§C8,C10 (AMD). PL 1991, c. 466, §1 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 436, §§13-18 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 426, §§2,3 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 415, §1 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 415, §5 (AFF). PL 2005, c. 453, §8 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 568, §3 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 253, §8 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 538, §4 (AMD). PL 2015, c. 447, §§1, 2 (AMD). RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §33 (COR). PL 2021, c. 568, §3 (AMD).