Sec. 5. 21-A MRSA §601, sub-§2, ¶D, as amended by PL 2001, c. 310, §29, is further amended to read:

D. At the end of the list of candidates for each office, there must be left as many blank spaces as there are vacancies to be filled. These spaces may be used by a voter to write in or paste a sticker with the name and municipality of residence of any person for whom the voter desires to vote, as provided in section 691, subsection 2 for a primary election or section 692, subsection 2 for a general election. For the presidential preference primary election ballot only, at the end of the list of candidates for nomination there must be printed the word "uncommitted" in such a way that a voter may choose this preference rather than a listed candidate. After the "uncommitted" option, there may not be any blank spaces left where a voter could write in the name of any person for whom a voter desires to vote.

Sec. 6. 21-A MRSA §601, sub-§2, ¶H, as amended by PL 1997, c. 436, §67, is further amended to read:

H. The name of each nominee must appear on the ballot as follows: last name first, in block capital letters, followed by the first name and middle name or initial; or last name first in block capital letters, followed by the first name or the first initial and the middle name.

Sec. 7. 21-A MRSA §621-A, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 436, §83, is amended to read:

1. Notice posted. The clerk shall post or have posted a notice of election, attested by the clerk, in a conspicuous public place in each voting district in the municipality at least 7 days immediately before election day and at each voting place on election day.

Sec. 8. 21-A MRSA §651, sub-§2-B, as amended by PL 1997, c. 436, §93, is further amended to read:

2-B. Opening of ballot packages. No more than 1/2 one hour before the opening of the polls, the warden shall break the seals on the packages containing the ballots and distribute the ballots to the election clerks in charge of them. The breaking of the seals on the packages containing the ballots is a public proceeding and any member of the public may be present.