127th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 744 LR 636(01)
An Act To Permit Unenrolled Voters To Cast Ballots in Primary Elections
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement for Original Bill
Sponsor: Sen. Katz of Kennebec
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
FY 2015-16 FY 2016-17 Projections  FY 2017-18 Projections  FY 2018-19
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund $187,600 $0 $178,000 $0
Appropriations/Allocations
General Fund $187,600 $0 $178,000 $0
State Mandates
Required Activity Unit Affected Local Cost
Requires municipal clerks to establish procedures to ensure each voter voting in a party's primary election is offered a ballot for that primary election. Municipality Insignificant statewide
The required local activities in this bill may represent a State mandate pursuant to the Constitution of Maine.  Unless General Fund appropriations are provided to fund at least 90% of the additional costs or a Mandate Preamble is amended to the bill and two-thirds of the members of each House vote to exempt this mandate from the funding requirement, municipalities may not be required to implement these changes.
Fiscal Detail and Notes
The bill allows unenrolled voters to vote in primary elections without having to enroll.  The Department of Secretary of State would require a General Fund appropriation of $187,600 in fiscal year 2015-16 for ballot printing costs, postage and upgrades to the central voter system.