CHAPTER 356
H.P. 648 - L.D. 929
An Act To Create Freedom of Citizen Information Regarding Ballot Questions
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 21-A MRSA §901-A is enacted to read:
§901-A. Petition requirements for direct initiatives of legislation
The following provisions apply to direct initiatives of legislation under the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 18.
1. Opportunity to read direct initiative summary. A person circulating a petition must provide the voter the opportunity to read the proposed direct initiative summary required by section 901 prior to that voter signing the petition. The summary presented to the voter must be as it appears on a publicly accessible website established by the Secretary of State.
2. Required statements; placement of information. The Secretary of State shall include the following statements at the top of the petition to be submitted to voters in a type size of no less than 16 points:
"Freedom of Citizen Information: Before a registered voter signs any initiative petition, signature gatherers must offer the voter the opportunity to read the proposed initiative summary prepared by the Secretary of State."
"Ballot questions during the 20.. election [most recent election cycle] cost taxpayers approximately $........ [Secretary of State shall use fiscal information provided by the Office of Fiscal and Program Review] each to be placed on the ballot. As a citizen of Maine, you have a right to this information."
The summary of the proposed direct initiative must be printed on the petition immediately following the statements required by this subsection.
Effective September 17, 2005.
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