All Roll Calls
Yes: 95 • No: 81
MaineLD 911132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)Senate
An Act to Clarify Procedures for When a Candidate Withdraws from an Election Determined by Ranked-choice Voting or When a Candidate Dies or Becomes Disqualified in an Election Determined by Ranked-choice Voting
Sponsored By: Michael Tipping
Signed by Governor
ELECTIONSELECTIONS - VOTING PROCEDURES
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Ballots skip withdrawn or disqualified candidates
In ranked-choice primaries, rankings for candidates who died, were disqualified, or withdrew less than 70 days do not count for those candidates. Those candidates cannot be declared the winner. Your ballot still counts; it is used to see if you ranked any continuing candidates. If not, the ballot becomes exhausted. In ranked-choice general elections, the same rule applies to candidates who withdrew less than 70 days.
General election ballot removal and notices
If a candidate withdraws 70 or more days before the general election, the name is removed from the ballot. If the withdrawal is within 70 days and legal criteria are met, officials remove the name or amend or supplement ballots as the law provides. If the criteria are not met, the name stays on the ballot. The Secretary of State must promptly notify officials and voters that votes for the withdrawn candidate will not be counted, post notices at polling places and on the website, and include notices with later absentee ballots.
Ranked-choice voting stays after late exits
The law keeps races that use ranked-choice voting, even when a candidate dies, is disqualified, or withdraws within 70 days. Those late candidates become “excluded” and cannot win. In each round, ballots for an excluded top choice move to the next continuing choice. A first-round win needs more than half of all ballots to rank a candidate number one, including ballots with a blank, an overvote, or an excluded first choice. A continuing candidate is anyone still in the count and not excluded.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Michael Tipping
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 6/13/2025
ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT
Yes: 21 • No: 13
House vote • 6/13/2025
ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP
Yes: 74 • No: 68
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 363
6/18/2025PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
6/16/2025SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/16/2025HouseReports READ.On motion of Representative SUPICA of Bangor, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-333) was READ and ADOPTED.On motion of Representative MOONEN of Portland, the House RECONSIDERED its action whereby Committee Amendment "A" (S-333) was ADOPTED.Senate Amendment "A" (S-378) to Committee Amendment "A" (S-333) was READ and ADOPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 502(Yeas 74 - Nays 68 - Absent 7 - Excused 2)Committee Amendment "A" (S-333) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-378) thereto was ADOPTED. Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-333) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-378) thereto.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/13/2025HouseTAKEN from the Table by the President. Reports READ On motion by Senator HICKMAN of Kennebec The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 531 Yeas 21 - Nays 13 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (S-333) READ. On motion by Senator HICKMAN of Kennebec Senate Amendment "A" (S-378) to Committee Amendment "A" (S-333) READ and ADOPTED. Committee Amendment "A" (S-333) AS AMENDED BY Senate Amendment "A" (S-378) thereto ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-333)AS AMENDED BYSenate Amendment "A" (S-378) . thereto Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence
6/13/2025SenateUnfinished Business
6/13/2025SenateReports READ On motion by Senator HICKMAN of Kennebec Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending ACCEPTANCE OF EITHER REPORT. Unfinished Business
6/11/2025SenateCARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.
3/21/2025SenateReceived by the Secretary of the Senate on March 5, 2025 and REFERRED to the Committee on VETERANS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2
3/5/2025Senate
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (S-333), adopted by House & Senate
Amendment S-A to C-A (S-378), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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