Maine

Maine on Ballotpedia

Maine ballot news Early voting amendment clears Maine Senate May 22, 2013 By Nick Katers AUGUSTA, Maine:The Maine State Senate approved a constitutional amendment allowing in-person early voting by a 24-11 vote. LD 156 proposed by Representative Michael Shaw (D) recently cleared the Maine House of Representatives 90-50 but fell short of the two-thirds majority required for a constitutional amendment. This legislation allows voters to cast ballots in person before Election Day rather than using absentee ballots. Elections officials can count early votes before Election Day under LD156. The House will vote again soon to determine if LD156 will be sent to voters as a referendum. The Maine Secretary of State authorized a statewide test of a similar early voting program during municipal elections in 2009. This pilot program was used by 12,970 voters in nine cities according to the Department of the Secretary of State. A 2010 report on the program indicated that 98% of participants wanted early voting as an option in future elections. The pilot program is among the evidence used by supporters that LD156 would simplify the voting process. “It eliminates long lines at the polls and reduces pressure on election officials,” says Senator John Tuttle (D). Opponents of LD156 like Senator Garrett Mason (R) believe that early voting complicates a functioning system. “Quite frankly, I am not interested in creating an election season,” notes Mason. Another source of debate over LD156 is the importance of early voting in smaller communities. Rural legislators like Senator Troy Jackson (D) believe that early voting would be used by a broad spectrum of constituents. Representative Kenneth Fredette (R) is concerned that early voting would disproportionately benefit residents of big cities. “It will be the cities who are going to be determining the results of referendums,” argues Fredette. ...more Maine news Maine Government State executives Governor • Attorney General • Secretary of State • Treasurer • State Auditor • Commissioner of Education • Superintendent of Insurance • Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry • Commissioner of Labor • Chairman of Public Utilities State legislature State Legislature • House of Representatives • Senate Other Constitution • Supreme Court Maine Counties Androscoggin • Aroostook • Cumberland • Franklin • Hancock • Kennebec • Knox • Lincoln • Oxford • Penobscot • Piscataquis • Sagadahoc • Somerset • Waldo • Washington • York Voting and elections Congress (2012 U.S. Senate & House elections) State executive officials State legislature (2012 Senate & House elections) State ballot measures (2013) Local ballot measures Redistricting in Maine School district bond issues Vote fraud Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States Public Financing of Campaigns Laws and history Laws governing ballot measures in Maine Laws governing recall Laws governing local measures Laws governing the initiative process Signature requirements State history of initiatives and referendum Campaign finance requirements Media and activism Newspapers and blogs Political consultants Political organizations and ballot activists

Maine residents can vote on... Statutes from the legislature ... Statutes from citizens ... Amendments from the legislature ... Amendments from citizens ... Vetoing legislation by referendum ... Recalling officials ... Contribute to Ballotpedia Articles you can improve: List of Maine ballot initiatives Maine political consultants Campaign finance requirements Join the The Maine Project on Ballotpedia. Add info on Representatives and Senators. ...get started now Transparency and Judiciary Maine Transparency on Sunshine Review Maine Judges on Judgepedia