Sec. 1. 21-A MRSA §121, sub-§1-A, as amended by PL 1997, c. 436, §22, is further amended to read:

1-A. Identification and proof. Registration applications taken by outside agencies must be transferred to the Secretary of State within 5 days of receipt. An applicant who attempts to register within 20 days of an election must be advised that the registrar might not receive the application before that election, but that the applicant may register in person before or on election day.

Registration applications received by the Secretary of State from outside agencies 21 days or more before an election must be transferred to the appropriate registrar's office within 10 days of receipt. Registration applications received by the Secretary of State from outside agencies 20 days or less before an election must be transferred to the appropriate registrar's office within 5 days of receipt. Registration applications by mail or by a 3rd person must be received in the registrar's office by the close of business 10 business days before election day in order for persons to appear on the list of registered voters for that election. If the registrar's office is not open on that day, the registrar must accept applications by mail that are received on the next day the registrar's office is open.

A person who registers during the 10 business days before election day or on election day shall register in person and show proof of identity and residency, including a driver's license or state identification card. If satisfactory proof of identity and residency can not be provided to the registrar or deputy, the person's name is placed on the voting list and the person casts a challenged ballot.

Sec. 2. 21-A MRSA §122, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 161, §6, is amended to read:

§122. Registration procedure

A person may register as a voter by appearing before the registrar, proving that he the person is qualified under section 111, subsections 1 to 3, showing a driver's license or state identification card and filing an application provided by the registrar containing the information required by section 171. Township residents may register as provided in section 156.

SUMMARY

This bill requires a person to show a driver's license or state identification card when appearing in person to register to vote.