An Act To Make Disputed Ballots in State Elections Public

Sec. 1. 21-A MRSA §739,  as amended by PL 1993, c. 473, §33 and affected by §46, is further amended to read:

§ 739. Ballots and incoming voting lists available for inspection

On request, a municipal clerk or the Secretary of State, or both, shall produce any ballots or incoming voting lists in their custody before the Governor, either branch of the Legislature, any legislative committee or a court of competent jurisdiction. If there is a disputed ballot arising from a recount conducted pursuant to section 737-A, the Secretary of State shall make that ballot available for inspection by the public after ensuring that the ballot cannot be tampered with. An absentee ballot that is made available for public inspection pursuant to this section must be made available in a manner that preserves the voter's anonymity.

After the time for completion of recounts following any election has elapsed, and on request of any person, the clerk of any municipality or the Secretary of State, or both, shall produce any incoming voting lists in his the clerk's or Secretary of State's custody.

summary

This bill requires the Secretary of State to make available for public inspection a disputed ballot arising from an election recount and specifies that the manner of making an absentee ballot available for public inspection must preserve the voter's anonymity.