Signed by Governor Janet Mills

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote on a motion to adopt an "ought to pass as amended" report for a bill that amends existing state election laws.

Highlights:

• Authorizes residents of nursing homes, residential care facilities, and assisted living programs to cast absentee ballots (Sec. 4, Pg. 1).

• Authorizes certain departments to declare a public health emergency to indicate a need for absentee ballot voting options (Sec. 4, Pg. 2).

• Expands the definition of government-issued photo identification document or credential to include an identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the deadlines for choosing nominees to political committees from being sooner than 15 days after the declaration of a vacancy (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Secretary of State to propose a ballot question for public comment if an initiative or veto referendum is filed and sufficiently signed (Sec. 5).

• Requires the Secretary to include a summary and fiscal impact statement on each petition submitted to the public (Sec. 6).

• Requires the state superior court to prioritize cases of appeal to petitions validated or invalidated by the Secretary of State, and specifies that the standard is the same for the Supreme Judicial Court (Secs. 8 & 9).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote on a motion to adopt an "ought to pass as amended" report for a bill that amends existing state election laws.

Highlights:

• Authorizes residents of nursing homes, residential care facilities, and assisted living programs to cast absentee ballots (Sec. 4, Pg. 1).

• Authorizes certain departments to declare a public health emergency to indicate a need for absentee ballot voting options (Sec. 4, Pg. 2).

• Expands the definition of government-issued photo identification document or credential to include an identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the deadlines for choosing nominees to political committees from being sooner than 15 days after the declaration of a vacancy (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Secretary of State to propose a ballot question for public comment if an initiative or veto referendum is filed and sufficiently signed (Sec. 5).

• Requires the Secretary to include a summary and fiscal impact statement on each petition submitted to the public (Sec. 6).

• Requires the state superior court to prioritize cases of appeal to petitions validated or invalidated by the Secretary of State, and specifies that the standard is the same for the Supreme Judicial Court (Secs. 8 & 9).

Full Bill Text