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MaineLD 600132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)House

An Act to Initiate Recounts in Tied Elections

Sponsored By: Marc Malon (Democratic)

Became Law

ELECTIONSELECTIONS - VOTING PROCEDURES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Run-off steps for tied town elections

Town elections use plurality voting unless a town meeting held at least 180 days before set another method. The municipal clerk automatically starts a recount when a town race ends in a tie. If the tie stands after the recount, the meeting is moved to a set day to vote again. Tied candidates may withdraw by filing a notarized, written withdrawal within 7 days after the election. If only one candidate remains, that person is declared the winner and sworn in. If the meeting already ended or the tie is found after adjournment and more than one candidate remains, officers must call a new meeting and post a warrant for a run‑off.

Automatic state recounts and request limits

The Secretary of State automatically starts a recount when a state race appears tied. All recounts are run under the Secretary’s supervision. Candidates may send representatives or lawyers to watch, but candidates cannot count ballots themselves. A candidate who is not the apparent winner must request a recount in writing within 5 business days after the election. In ranked‑choice elections, only candidates who were in the top three at the end of the next‑to‑last round may request a recount.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Marc Malon

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Mike Tipping

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sharon Frost

    Independent • House

  • Stephan Bunker

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 114

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    5/22/2025Senate

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

    5/22/2025House

  4. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-145) 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-145), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    5/20/2025Senate

  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-145).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/14/2025House

  6. Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025House

  7. Received by the Clerk of the House on February 20, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on VETERANS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.

    2/20/2025House

Bill Text

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