Bill
Bill > LD1702
summary
Introduced
04/17/2025
04/17/2025
In Committee
04/17/2025
04/17/2025
Crossed Over
06/10/2025
06/10/2025
Passed
06/12/2025
06/12/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
06/17/2025
06/17/2025
Introduced Session
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
An Act to Amend Election Polling Place Candidate Restrictions Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and Whereas, many municipalities in the State will hold elections in June; and Whereas, this legislation makes changes to polling place restrictions on candidates, and those changes need to be in place prior to those elections; and Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
AI Summary
This bill amends Maine's election laws to clarify and expand restrictions on candidate activities near polling places. The bill provides a comprehensive definition of "candidate" that includes all candidates regardless of party affiliation or ballot status, and introduces new limitations on candidate behavior within 250 feet of a voting place and inside the voting place itself. Specifically, candidates and their representatives are now prohibited from collecting or soliciting voter signatures for their candidacy, collecting campaign contributions, or collecting qualifying contributions for Maine Clean Election Act funding while at or near polling locations. The bill maintains previous restrictions on influencing voter decisions and allows candidates or one representative to greet voters, but with stricter guidelines about discussing their candidacy or displaying campaign materials. The legislation is being introduced as an emergency measure to ensure these new polling place restrictions are in place before upcoming June municipal elections, with the goal of maintaining the integrity and neutrality of voting spaces.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (10)
Mark Cooper (R)*,
Barbara Bagshaw (R),
Dean Cray (R),
Randy Hall (R),
Allison Hepler (D),
Craig Hickman (D),
Caldwell Jackson (R),
Wayne Parry (R),
Chad Perkins (R),
Jeff Timberlake (R),
Last Action
Governor's Action: Emergency Signed, Jun 17, 2025 (on 06/17/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1702&snum=132 |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1137&item=3&snum=132 |
| Fiscal Note: | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_132nd/fiscalpdfs/FN170203.pdf |
| House: C-A (H-612) | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1137&item=2&snum=132 |
| Fiscal Note: C-A (H-612) | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_132nd/fiscalpdfs/FN170202.pdf |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1137&item=1&snum=132 |
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