Sec. 1. 21-A MRSA §759, sub-§7, as amended by PL 1997, c. 436, §113, is further amended to read:

7. Processing before close of polls. Absentee ballots may be processed up to 2 business days prior to election day. A notice signed by the municipal clerk must be posted at least 7 days before election day in the same manner as posting the notice of election, under section 621-A, stating each specific time that the clerk intends to begin processing absentee ballots on or before election day. The warden shall follow the procedures required by subsections 1 to 6 to process absentee ballots before the close of the polls. The clerk shall notify the chairs of each political party of the municipality, in writing, that this procedure is to occur. This notice must be considered sufficient as long as it is mailed to the last address of each municipal chair that is known to the clerk.

SUMMARY

This bill permits a municipality to process ballots up to 2 business days prior to election day.