2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 30-A: MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES › Part 1: COUNTIES › Chapter 11: COUNTY CHARTERS › Subchapter 2: PROCEDURES › 30-A §1324. Submission to voters

§1324. Submission to voters
1.  Voting procedure.
The method of voting at all elections, when a question relating to a charter revision, a charter adoption or a charter amendment is involved, shall be by secret ballot in the manner prescribed for state elections. The county commissioners shall notify the municipal officers of the county of the date on which the election will be held. The municipal officers shall notify the inhabitants of their respective municipalities in that county to meet, in the manner prescribed by law for holding a statewide election, to vote on the acceptance or rejection of these recommended charter revisions by voting on the question in paragraphs A and B.
A. In the case of a charter revision or a charter adoption, the question to be submitted to the voters shall be in substance as follows.
"Shall the county approve the (charter revision) (new charter) recommended by the charter commission?"
B. In the case of a charter amendment, the question to be submitted to the voters shall be in substance as follows.
"Shall the county approve the charter amendment reprinted (summarized) below?"
The voters of each municipality in the county shall vote by ballot on this question and shall designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within a corresponding square below the words "Yes" or "No." The ballots shall be received, sorted, counted and declared in open ward, town and plantation meetings in the county and returns made to the Secretary of State in the same manner as votes for members of the Legislature. The Governor shall review the returns, and, if it appears that a majority of the votes in the county are in favor of the recommended adoption, amendment or revision, the Governor shall proclaim that fact without delay. The adoption, amendment or revision becomes part of that county's charter 30 days after the date of the Governor's proclamation.
The Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish to each municipality in the county all ballots and returns necessary to carry out the purpose of this referendum.
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW).]
2.  Voter information.
The following procedures shall be performed before the election.
A. In the case of a charter revision or charter adoption, at least 2 weeks before the election, the county commissioners shall:
(1) Have the final report of the charter commission printed;
(2) Make copies of the report available to the voters in the clerk's office; and
(3) Post the report in at least one public place in each municipality in the county.   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
B. In the case of a charter amendment, at least 2 weeks before the election, the county commissioners shall:
(1) Have the proposed amendment and any summary of the amendment printed;
(2) Make copies available to the voters in the clerk's office; and
(3) Post the amendment and any summary of the amendment in the same manner as required under paragraph A.   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1987, c. 737, §§A2,C106 (NEW). PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW). PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW). PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 104, §§C8,10 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).