HP0408, LD 568, item 2, ‘An Act Relating to Party Designation of Candidates Not Registered with a Recognized Party’

Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following:

‘An Act Relating to Party Designation of Candidates Not Registered with a Recognized Party’

Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the summary and inserting the following:

‘Sec. 1. 21-A MRSA §307, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 161, §6, is amended to read:

1. Length. Exceed one word or include additional numbers or symbols, except that the party designation for presidential and vice-presidential candidates may be up to 3 words in length;

Sec. 2. 21-A MRSA §307, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2003, c. 447, §9, is further amended to read:

4. Use independent designation. Consist of the word "independent" without another descriptive word or words. The party designation for presidential and vice-presidential candidates may include the word "independent" if it includes another descriptive word or words. The designation "independent," without another descriptive word or words, is reserved for use by candidates that are not enrolled in any qualified or proposed party; and

Sec. 3. 21-A MRSA §354, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2007, c. 455, §14, is further amended to read:

1. Content. A nomination petition must contain the name of only one candidate, the candidate's place of residence, the office sought and electoral division. A nomination petition may contain as many separate papers as necessary and may contain the candidate's consent required by section 355. It may also contain the candidate's political designation . This , subject to the following limitations: the designation may not exceed one word or include additional numbers or symbols, except that the political designation for presidential and vice-presidential candidates may be up to 3 words in length , ; the designation may not incorporate the candidate's name or the designation or an abbreviation of the designation of a party that is qualified to nominate candidates by primary election ; and the designation may not consist of or comprise language that is obscene, contemptuous, profane or prejudicial, promotes abusive or unlawful activity or violates any other provision of the laws of this State with respect to names. A candidate who intends to form a new party about that person's candidacy must use the proposed party's designation.

A. When 2 United States Senators or 2 county commissioners are to be nominated, the nomination petition must contain the term of office sought by the candidate.

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.

Sec. 4. 21-A MRSA §601, sub-§2, ¶B, as amended by PL 2013, c. 131, §16, is further amended to read:

B. The ballot must contain the legal name of each candidate, without any title, and municipality or township of residence of each candidate, arranged alphabetically with the last name first, under the proper office designation. Municipality of residence is not required to be printed for candidates for President and Vice President of the United States. The initial letters of the last names of the candidates must be printed directly beneath each other in a vertical line. The names of candidates for any one office may not be split into more than one column regardless of number. The name of each candidate may be printed on the ballot in only one space. For the general election ballot, the party or political designation of each candidate must be printed with each candidate's name. The printed party or political designation of candidates whose party or political designation is governed by section 307 or 354 must conform to the requirements for those designations under those sections. The party or political designation may be abbreviated.’

summary

This amendment replaces the bill and changes the title to reflect the content of the amendment.

This amendment provides that the party or political designation of a candidate of an unqualified party is limited to one word and may not include additional numbers or symbols. Presidential and vice-presidential candidate designations remain subject to the current law, which provides that such a party or political designation must be no longer than 3 words.

HP0408 LD 568	Session - 128th Maine Legislature C "A", Filing Number H-188, Sponsored by		LR 1276 Item 2
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