Sec. 1. 21-A MRSA c. 5, sub-c. II is amended by repealing the subchapter headnote and enacting in its place the following:

SUBCHAPTER II

BY NONQUALIFIED PARTIES

Sec. 2. 21-A MRSA §351, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 161, §6, is amended to read:

The nomination of a candidate, other than by a party, for any federal, state or county office must be made by petition nonqualified parties, as provided in this subchapter.

Sec. 3. 21-A MRSA §353, as amended by PL 1995, c. 459, §25, is further amended to read:

§353. Qualification of candidate for nomination by

nonqualified party

A person who seeks nomination by petition a nonqualified party qualifies by filing a nomination petition and consent as provided in sections 354 and 355 or by paying a fee as provided by section 358. If enrolled, the person must also withdraw enrollment in a party prior to March September 1st to be eligible to file a petition as a candidate in that election year, as provided in section 145. The registrar, or clerk at the request or upon the absence of the registrar, in the candidate's municipality of residence must certify to that fact on the petition.

Sec. 4. 21-A MRSA §354, sub-§1, ¶B, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 161, §6, is amended to read:

B. The names of presidential electors must be placed on the petition as a slate. The names of the candidates for President and Vice President must be placed on a petition for the nomination of presidential electors certified to the Secretary of State by September 1st.

Sec. 5. 21-A MRSA §354, sub-§7, ¶B, as amended by PL 1995, c. 459, §26, is further amended to read:

B. Petitions must be delivered to the registrar, or clerk at the request or upon the absence of the registrar, for certification by 5 p.m. on May August 25th in the election year in which the petitions are to be used.