Resolve, To Improve the Absentee Voting System on November 3, 2008

Sec. 1. Municipal clerks authorized to prohibit in-person absentee voting on the day prior to election day. Resolved: That, notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 21-A, section 753-B, subsection 8, a municipal clerk may prohibit voting by absentee ballot in the presence of the municipal clerk on November 3, 2008, as long as the municipal clerk gives notice of the municipality’s intent to do so using the notice of election under Title 21-A, section 621-A. At least 30 days before election day, the municipal clerk shall provide a copy of the notice of election to the Secretary of State and to the chairs of each political party of the municipality, indicating the municipality’s intent to prohibit in-person absentee voting on November 3, 2008. The notice to the political parties is considered sufficient as long as it is mailed to the last known address of each municipal chair. The notice to the Secretary of State may be delivered by mail or by facsimile, but if the notice is not received by the Secretary of State by the 30th day before election day, the municipality must allow voting by absentee ballot in the presence of the municipal clerk on November 3, 2008. All other methods of absentee voting authorized by statute must continue to be available to voters on November 3, 2008; and be it further

Sec. 2. Municipal clerks shall notify of early processing of absentee ballots at least 30 days prior to election day. Resolved: That, notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 21-A, section 760-B, subsection 2, a municipal clerk must give notice of the municipality's intent to process absentee ballots prior to election day using the notice of election under Title 21-A, section 621-A, stating each specific time that the municipal clerk intends to begin processing absentee ballots and the inspection period provided in Title 21-A, section 760-B, subsection 3. At least 30 days before election day, the municipal clerk shall notify the Secretary of State and the chairs of each political party of the municipality, in writing, that this procedure is to occur. The notice to the political parties must be considered sufficient as long as it is mailed to the last known address of each municipal chair. The notice to the Secretary of State may be delivered by mail or facsimile, but if the notice is not received by the Secretary of State by the 30th day before election day the municipality may not process absentee ballots prior to election day. A copy of the notice of election is considered notice in writing under this section.