Sec. 9. 21-A MRSA §353, as amended by PL 1995, c. 459, §25, is further amended to read:

§353. Qualification of candidate for nomination by

petition

A person who seeks nomination by petition qualifies by filing a nomination petition and consent as provided in sections 354 and 355. If enrolled, the person must also withdraw enrollment in a party prior to on or before March 1st to be eligible to file a petition as a candidate in that election year, as provided in section 145. The registrar, or clerk at the request or upon the absence of the registrar, in the candidate's municipality of residence must certify to that fact on the petition.

Sec. 10. 21-A MRSA §355, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1997, c. 436, §51, is further amended to read:

3. Qualifications declared. The consent must contain a declaration of the candidate's place of residence and the fact that the candidate has not been enrolled in a party qualified to participate in a primary or general election as of on or before March 1st of that election year and that the candidate meets the qualifications of the office the candidate seeks. The candidate must verify by oath or affirmation before a notary public or other person authorized by law to administer oaths or affirmations that the declaration is true. If, pursuant to the challenge procedures in section 356, any part of the declaration is found to be false by the Secretary of State, the consent and the nomination petition are void.

A. Candidates for the office of county charter commission need not verify by oath or affirmation that they are not enrolled in a party.

Sec. 11. 21-A MRSA §371, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 161, §6, is amended to read:

If a candidate for nomination dies, withdraws at least 60 days before the primary or becomes disqualified after having filed his the candidate's primary petition, so that a party has fewer candidates than there are offices to be filled, the vacancy may be filled as follows by a political committee pursuant to section 363. The Secretary of State shall notify the Governor who shall issue a proclamation of vacancy pursuant to section 362.