| This bill adds or amends the definitions for certain voting |
| terms. The bill also specifies how ballots must be destroyed |
| after their retention period. This bill clarifies the process |
| for adding names of new registrants to the voting list for |
| election day. The bill also prohibits the use of obscene |
| language in the name of a new political party or for a nonparty |
| candidate's political designation on petitions or the ballot. |
| The bill corrects an incorrect reference to the Maine Rules of |
| Civil Procedure, relating to challenges of the Secretary of |
| State's decision regarding candidate petitions. This bill adds a |
| reason for challenging ballots, which is currently found in |
| another section of law, to the challenge section. The bill also |
| removes the penalty for soliciting a vote from a person who is |
| under guardianship because of mental illness. The bill clarifies |
| the prohibition against the use of devices in the voting place to |
| make audible voice communications that influence voters. This |
| bill also specifies that the state-supplied tamper-proof |
| containers and locks must only be used to secure state ballots |
| and election materials. The bill clarifies the requirement that |
| the clerk must provide a secure location for keeping ballots and |
| voting equipment. This bill also clarifies which candidates can |
| request a recount and increases the deposit amount for recounts |
| requested when the difference between the vote totals is over 6%, |
| 8% and 10% of the total votes cast for the office. This bill |
| details specific requirements for when a clerk must accept a |
| written absentee ballot application, written request or telephone |
| application. The bill also clarifies the circumstances when a |
| voter can be issued a 2nd absentee ballot, as well as directing |
| the election officials as to which of these ballots must be |
| processed and counted on election day. Finally, this bill |
| changes the penalty for tampering with an electronic tabulating |
| device or other type of voting device so that it is consistent |
| with the penalty for tampering with a voting machine. This bill |
| also clarifies who are designated recount candidates and the |
| procedure to be used in notifying a candidate of the recount. |
