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MaineLD 1977132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Elections

Sponsored By: Craig V. Hickman (Democratic)

Became Law

ELECTIONSELECTIONS - VOTING PROCEDURES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

14 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 7 mixed.

Voter registration deadlines and ID rules

Deadlines depend on how you apply: by mail or a third person by close of business 21 days before election day; online by 5:00 p.m. that day; agency transmissions by midnight 7 days before; in person up to the close of polls on election day. The closed period is the 20 days before the election, but you can still register in person through election day. If you register in person, you must show proof of identity and where you live. Without proof, you can vote with a challenged ballot unless you show proof before voting. If your online, mail, or third‑party application arrives by day 21, the registrar mails your notice by day 18. If you try to register within 30 days by a slower method, the registrar must tell you it may not arrive in time and that you can register in person before polls close.

More agency sites and transfer deadlines

More places can help you register, including public assistance offices, some rental and advocacy programs, public high schools, municipal clerks, and state disability services. These offices must send applications to the Secretary of State within 5 days. The Secretary forwards online submissions by the next business day, other applications within 5 or 10 days depending on timing, and sends applications received during the closed period within 10 business days after the election.

Buy voter data, with privacy limits

You can buy a voter file from the Secretary of State for a fee to check election and registration compliance. The file can include fields used by parties and campaigns and canceled records, but it cannot include full birth dates, Social Security or tax ID numbers, driver license numbers, Address Confidentiality Program records, protected addresses, or agency/declination data. Misuse can bring a civil fine up to $1,000 for a first violation and up to $5,000 for each later violation.

Earlier election notices and larger sites

Clerks must post a notice of election in each voting district at least 21 days before election day and again at each voting place on election day. Voting places must be large enough for at least one worker from each party to stand outside the guardrail. If a party chair complains 90 days ahead, the Secretary of State can inspect and order a move to a bigger site.

Accessible booths and machines at polls

Every voting place must have at least one accessible booth, and it cannot be the only booth. Each polling place used in state elections must also have an accessible voting system with audio, a permanent paper record, and audit features that meet federal rules.

Clear rules for presidential electors

The Governor must send the certificate listing electors and statewide and district vote totals as soon as possible and no later than 6 days before electors meet, with the state seal and an added security feature. Electors meet in Augusta at 2 p.m. on the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday of December; present electors fill any vacancies by majority. Parties may replace a certified elector who dies, withdraws, or is disqualified if filings are completed before election day.

Clerks visit care homes for absentee voting

Municipal clerks must visit each qualifying facility once during the 30 days before an election to conduct absentee voting. Covered sites include nursing homes. They also include assisted living or residential care with more than six beds, certain mental health residences, and state mental health institutes. The clerk sets the voting area, tells the facility and listed contacts the date and time, and posts notices. During a health emergency, or if entry is blocked, the Secretary of State sets alternate voting procedures for that period.

Fast special elections for House

If the U.S. House has more than 100 vacancies, the Governor’s special‑election proclamation skips primaries. Candidates are nominated by party committee, by petition, or as declared write‑ins. The proclamation sets deadlines so the election meets federal time limits.

Public complaint log and voter guides

The Secretary of State runs a public log for residents to report possible election violations, with actions taken and categories listed. Reporting instructions must be at polling places and in the election guide. The Secretary may also prepare neutral posters and other materials to help voters.

Stronger counting and machine testing

After polls close, the warden prints official tapes, records totals, gets signatures from the warden and a clerk from each major party, and seals them. Regular counted ballots are secured; unread or damaged ballots are counted by hand with tally sheets. Before polls open, clerks test tabulators with marked test ballots, fix any errors, certify an errorless count, and keep test materials sealed for at least two months. These tests are open to the public.

Party status changes and your enrollment

If your party is disqualified, the Secretary of State changes you to unenrolled unless the party asks within 30 days to keep its voters and seeks requalification by December 31 of the next general‑election year. A party may also give up its status; then all its voters are made unenrolled within 30 days and the party name is removed from forms. The Secretary may apply the new relinquishment rules to requests received after January 1, 2024. If the 15th day before a primary is a holiday, a change or withdrawal filed the next business day counts as filed on day 15.

New rules for absentee inspections

You can request in writing by 4:00 p.m. the day before processing to inspect absentee applications and envelopes received by then. The clerk must allow a one‑hour inspection before processing starts and may prioritize candidate or party representatives if many people ask. Clerks may not give absentee applications earlier than two months before a primary or three months before other elections, except for uniformed service and overseas voters.

New rules for candidate filings

Declared write‑ins must file by 5:00 p.m. on the 70th day before the election; presidential write‑ins must also file elector consents. Ballot names must match a court‑approved name or a name used consistently for two years; requests for a different name are due 70 days before the election. Petition challenges move faster: a hearing within 5 business days after the deadline and a ruling within 5 business days after the hearing. Candidate consent forms must include registrar certification. A party can let unenrolled voters sign its petitions if it votes to allow this and files by December 31 before the primary.

Stricter conduct rules at polling places

People may monitor registrations if they sign in and follow rules; officials can set where they stand and remove violators. Anyone taking photos or video must stay outside the guardrail and at least 15 feet from voters; a self‑photo is allowed. Only municipal officials can hand out or collect registration forms inside or within 250 feet of the entrance. Wardens and clerks can set locations for activities and remove people who block access or try to influence voters.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Craig V. Hickman

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 397

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/11/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/10/2025House

  4. 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" (S-317).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/9/2025House

  5. Report READ and ACCEPTED.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-317) READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-317).Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.

    6/9/2025Senate

  6. Committee on VETERANS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on VETERANS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    5/13/2025Senate

  7. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on VETERANS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/13/2025House

Bill Text

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