To be considered a valid write-in candidate, a person must file a declaration of write-in candidacy with the Secretary of State, on a form approved by the Secretary of State, either before the election or no later than 3 business days after the election.__The candidate must meet all the other qualifications for that office.

Sec. 21. 21-A MRSA §723, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1991, c. 244, is further amended to read:

1. Primary election. In a primary election, the person who receives a plurality of the votes cast for nomination to any office is nominated for that office, except for write-in candidates under paragraph A and section 722-A.

A. A person who has not qualified as a candidate for nomination by primary election by filing a petition and consent under sections 335 and 336, but who fulfills the other qualifications under section 334, may be nominated at the primary election if that person receives a number of valid write-in votes equal to at least twice the minimum number of signatures required under section 335, subsection 5, on a primary petition for a candidate for that office.

(1) The Secretary of State shall send notice of nomination to a write-in candidate by certified mail, return receipt requested. For purposes of this paragraph, the notice is deemed given on the date the write-in candidate signs the receipt, or if the notice is undeliverable, the date the post office last attempts to deliver it. If the candidate fails to file a written acceptance with the Secretary of State within 15 days after receiving the notice, the candidate is disqualified and the candidate's name may not be printed on the general election ballot.

B. The Secretary of State shall immediately certify by mail the nomination of each person nominated by the primary election.

Sec. 22. 21-A MRSA §723, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 161, §6, is amended to read:

2. Other elections. In any other election, the person who receives a plurality of the votes cast for election to any office is elected to that office, except that write-in candidates must also comply with section 722-A.