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MaineLD 1702132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)House

An Act to Amend Election Polling Place Candidate Restrictions

Sponsored By: Mark Cooper (Republican)

Became Law

ELECTIONSELECTIONS - POLLING PLACES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

No petitioning or fundraising near polls

Beginning June 17, 2025, candidates and their representatives cannot collect petition signatures for that candidate at polling places. The ban applies inside the voting place and on public property within 250 feet of the entrance. They also cannot ask for or collect campaign contributions there. They cannot collect qualifying Maine Clean Election contributions there either.

Stricter polling place rules for candidates

Beginning June 17, 2025, the law bans attempts to influence votes inside the voting place. It also bans this on public property within 250 feet of the entrance. This covers choices about candidates on that day’s ballot and any ballot questions. A candidate or one helper may greet voters, but only under strict limits. They cannot say the office, show the candidate’s name or office, express support or opposition, or do the banned acts in subsection 7. The law defines "candidate" to include write-ins and unenrolled people.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mark Cooper

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Allison Hepler

    Democratic • House

  • Barbara Bagshaw

    Republican • House

  • Caldwell Jackson

    Republican • House

  • Chad Perkins

    Republican • House

  • Craig V. Hickman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dean Cray

    Republican • House

  • Jeffrey L. Timberlake

    Republican • Senate

  • Randall Hall

    Republican • House

  • Wayne Parry

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 331

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence.

    6/12/2025Senate

  3. This being an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the House was necessary.PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/11/2025House

  4. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-612) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-612), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    6/11/2025Senate

  5. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-612).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/10/2025House

  6. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on VETERANS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS in concurrence

    4/17/2025Senate

  7. Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on VETERANS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/17/2025House

Bill Text

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