CHAPTER 298
S.P. 322 - L.D. 981
An Act To Ensure Segregation of Spoiled, Defective and Void Ballots
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 21-A MRSA §693, as amended by PL 1997, c. 436, §99, is further amended to read:
If a voter spoils the a ballot, the voter may obtain a replacement, not more than twice, by returning the spoiled ballot to the election clerk in charge of issuing ballots. The warden or, ward clerk or deputy warden shall write "Spoiled by voter" on the spoiled ballot, and sign it and place it in an envelope marked "Spoiled ballots.". If a replacement ballot is issued to the voter, the warden or, ward clerk must or deputy warden shall also mark "Replacement ballot issued" on the spoiled ballot. The election official shall then segregate the spoiled ballot with any other spoiled ballots in an envelope labeled "Spoiled ballots" and shall package and return the envelope of segregated ballots in accordance with section 698. The Secretary of State shall provide the clerk of each municipality with either a label and instructions on proper handling of spoiled ballots or a special envelope printed with this label and instructions.
Sec. 2. 21-A MRSA §696, sub-§3, ¶B, as amended by PL 2001, c. 310, §40, is further amended to read:
B. The warden, ward clerk or deputy warden shall write "Defective ballot" on the ballot and the reason that the ballot is defective on the ballot and shall sign it and keep it segregated from the other ballots. The election official shall then segregate the defective ballot with any other defective ballots in an envelope labeled "Defective ballots" and shall package and return the envelope of segregated ballots in accordance with section 698. The Secretary of State shall provide the clerk of each municipality with either a label and instructions on proper handling of defective ballots or a special envelope printed with this label and instructions.
Sec. 3. 21-A MRSA §696, sub-§5, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 310, §42, is amended to read:
B. The warden, ward clerk or deputy warden shall write "Void ballot" on the ballot and the reason that the ballot is void on the ballot and shall keep it segregated from the other ballots sign it. The election official shall then segregate the void ballot with any other void ballots in an envelope labeled "Void ballots" and shall package and return the envelope of segregated ballots in accordance with section 698. The Secretary of State shall provide the clerk of each municipality with either a label and instructions on proper handling of void ballots or a special envelope printed with this label and instructions.
Effective September 13, 2003, unless otherwise indicated.
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