Sec. 1. 21-A MRSA §1, sub-§40-A is enacted to read:

40-A.__Single-sided.__"Single-sided" means all ballot content, in accordance with section 601, subsection 2; section 601-A, subsection 2; and section 602, subsection 2, must be printed on only one side of a ballot.

Sec. 2. 21-A MRSA §601, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1993, c. 473, §11 and affected by §46, is further amended to read:

1. Arrangement. The ballots must be arranged in a single- sided format and in a manner that is as consistent and uniform as possible throughout the State.

Sec. 3. 21-A MRSA §601-A, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1997, c. 436, §69, is further amended to read:

1. Arrangement. The ballot must be arranged in a single- sided format and in a manner that is as consistent and uniform as possible throughout the State.

Sec. 4. 21-A MRSA §602, sub-§1, as repealed and replaced by PL 1997, c. 436, §72, is amended to read:

1. Arrangement. The ballots must be arranged in a single- sided format and in a manner that is as consistent and uniform as possible throughout the State.

Sec. 5. 21-A MRSA §604-A, as amended by PL 1997, c. 436, §79, is further amended to read:

§604-A. Flexibility for combining election ballots

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Title, the Secretary of State may make suitable arrangement for the printing of candidate, referendum and municipal election ballots on a single ballot or ballot card used in conjunction with electronic voting systems or for the printing of candidate and referendum ballots on a single ballot for paper ballot voting systems, except that the ballot or ballot card must be arranged in a single-sided format. The Secretary of State may only allow such a combination if the Secretary of State finds that it is in the interest of the election process and that it will not contribute to voter confusion or unreasonable administrative difficulties.

Sec. 6. 21-A MRSA §848, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1995, c. 459, §100, is further amended to read: