Code of Maine Rules › 13 - DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES › 188 - MARINE RESOURCES - GENERAL › Chapter 26 - SEA URCHINS › Section 188-26-30 - Sea Urchin Zone Council Elections

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1. Elections
				and Term
The Sea Urchin Zone Council shall hold its first election
				  for those members specified in
				  12 M.R.S.
				  §6749-X, sub-§
										1 by March 2008, and a biennial
				  election thereafter beginning in December 2010, to re-elect or replace the
				  elected members whose terms are expiring. Council members shall have terms of
				  two years.
2. Election of
				Council Members
Election of council members shall be by a plurality vote of
				  eligible voters participating in the election.
3. Eligibility of Council Members
To be eligible for election as a council member an
				  individual must hold a valid license of a type specified in
				  12 M.R.S.
				  §6749-X, sub-§
										1 and be at least 18 years of age. An
				  individual who has been convicted of a marine resources law violation within
				  the previous 6 years is not eligible for election as a council member unless a
				  waiver from this requirement has been granted by the commissioner for good
				  cause as determined by the commissioner in his or her discretion.
4. Eligibility to vote
An individual who holds a valid license of a type specified
				  in 12
				  M.R.S. §6749-X, sub-§
										1 and is at least 18 years of age shall
				  be eligible to vote to fill vacant council positions representing the same type
				  of license held by the voter. If the license type is specific to Zone 1 or Zone
				  2, as defined under
				  12 M.R.S.
				  §6749-N, then the individual shall only
				  be eligible to participate in the election if the individual holds the eligible
				  license in the same zone.
5. Election process
Each individual shall have one vote in the election for each
				  seat for which they are eligible to vote. The vote shall be by secret mailed
				  ballot and the ballots shall be collected by the Department of Marine
				  Resources. The ballots shall be tallied, and the results shall be made known to
				  the Commissioner, members of the Sea Urchin Zone Council and the public.
6. Vacancies
Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the Sea Urchin
				  Zone Council including one created by reason of resignation, ineligibility, or
				  death shall be filled by the candidate from the most recent election who
				  received the second greatest number of votes. If no such candidate is available
				  or is willing to serve as representative, then a special election will be held.
				  Council members elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the
				  vacated member's term.
7.
				Removal of Council Members
A council member whose urchin license is suspended or
				  revoked, or who fails to renew the license, shall automatically be removed from
				  the Sea Urchin Zone Council. A Council member who misses three consecutive
				  meetings without notifying an officer or other Council member of the intended
				  absence from a meeting may be removed from the Council by affirmative vote of
				  the Council.