summary
Introduced
05/01/2025
05/01/2025
In Committee
05/01/2025
05/01/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
05/13/2025
05/13/2025
Introduced Session
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
This bill requires the presentation of photographic identification for in-person and absentee voting. Acceptable forms of photographic identification include an unexpired Maine driver's license, nondriver identification card, interim identification form issued by the Secretary of State, United States passport or United States passport card, United States military identification card, Maine National Guard identification card and United States Department of Veterans Affairs identification card. The bill directs the Secretary of State to provide free nondriver identification cards for photographic identification. The bill allows voters without photographic identification to complete a challenged ballot and within 4 days after the date of the election appear before the registrar of voters and present photographic identification. The bill also provides an exception for voters with religious objections to being photographed. The bill removes provisions of law that allow voters to make telephone applications for absentee ballots and that allow voters to automatically receive absentee ballots for each election without submitting a separate request for each election. It also provides that a municipality may have only one secured drop box for the return of absentee ballots. It requires that a secured drop box be monitored at all times by a surveillance camera and that the video from this surveillance camera be accessible to a resident of the municipality in which the secured drop box is located.
AI Summary
This bill introduces comprehensive changes to voting procedures in Maine, primarily focusing on voter identification requirements and absentee ballot regulations. The bill mandates that voters must present photographic identification when voting, with acceptable forms including Maine driver's licenses, state-issued non-driver identification cards, U.S. passports, military IDs, and veterans' identification cards. The Secretary of State will provide free non-driver identification cards to eligible voters who lack other forms of photo ID. Voters without proper identification can cast a challenged ballot and have four days after the election to present acceptable identification. The bill includes a religious exemption for those with sincere objections to being photographed. Additional provisions significantly restrict absentee voting by limiting municipalities to a single secured drop box for ballot returns, requiring constant video surveillance of these drop boxes, mandating more stringent application processes for absentee ballots, and eliminating automatic absentee ballot requests. The bill also introduces stricter verification requirements for absentee ballots, including matching signatures and providing identification information. These changes aim to enhance election security and voter identification processes, with an implementation date of January 1, 2026.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) (on 05/13/2025)
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=1880&snum=132 |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1251&item=1&snum=132 |
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