5.__Regulation of challengers and challenges.__A person challenging the right of another person to vote may not create a disturbance or obstruction and may not interfere with or delay the challenged voter's exercise of the right to vote once the challenge affidavit has been completed.__A challenger other than a registrar, clerk or other election official may not handle or inspect registration cards or files or other materials used by the registrar or clerk except as provided in section 22.

Sec. 5. 21-A MRSA §696, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1997, c. 436, §100, is further amended to read:

1. Challenged ballot. A challenged ballot must be counted the same as a regular ballot. The validity of a challenged ballot need not be determined unless it affects the results of an election.

If the challenged ballot affects the result of an election, the envelope containing the challenge certificate and the signed affidavit under section 673, subsection 1 must be submitted to the Supreme Judicial Court and its validity must be determined, except when final determination of the election of a candidate is governed by the United States Constitution.