5.__Limit on recall attempts.__After one recall petition and recall election, a further recall petition may not be filed against the same official for the same reason during the term for which the official was elected.

Sec. 2. 30-A MRSA §2505 is enacted to read:

§2505.__Recall of elected officials

The qualified electors of any municipality may petition for the recall of any elected official by filing a petition with the municipal clerk demanding the recall of the elected official, except that municipalities that have adopted a charter that includes a recall process are exempt from the provisions of this section.

1.__Reasons for recall; petitions for recall.__An elected official may be subject to recall for misfeasance, malfeasance or nonfeasance in office. The petition must be signed by a number of electors of the political subdivision represented by that elected official equal to at least 15% of the vote cast during the last regular municipal election within that political subdivision. The recall petition must state the reason for which removal is sought.

2.__Sufficiency of petitions; calling of recall elections; notification.__Within 3 days after the petition is offered for filing, the clerk with whom the petition is left shall determine by careful examination whether the petition is sufficient and so state in a certificate attached to the petition. If the petition is found to be insufficient, the certificate must state the particulars creating the insufficiency. The petition may be amended to correct any insufficiency within 5 days following the affixing of the original certificate. Within 2 days after the offering of the amended petition for filing, it must again be carefully examined to determine sufficiency and a certificate stating the findings must be attached.__Immediately upon finding an original or amended petition sufficient, the clerk with whom the petition is left shall file the petition with the municipal council or board.__The council or board shall call a special recall election to be held not less than 30 days nor more than 35 days from the filing date. The elected municipal official against whom the recall petition is filed must be notified of the special election within 24 hours of the calling of the special election.