Sec. 1. 21-A MRSA §1001, sub-§4 is enacted to read:

4.__Push poll.__"Push poll" is defined as follows.

A.__"Push poll" means telephone surveys that interview voters and are designed to influence a voter's decision with questions that:

(1)__Intentionally purport to be part of an objective opinion poll concerning an issue or issues but that are worded to suggest answers that support a certain position concerning the issue or issues;

(2)__Do not request demographic information but are targeted to a particular demographic group or groups;

(3)__Result in encouraging a voter to support or not support a candidate or candidates, a political party or issues; or

(4)__Result in subsequent telephone calls that encourage a voter to support or not support a candidate or candidates, a political party or issues.

B.__"Push poll" does not include generally accepted scientific polling research, including, but not limited to, surveys that:

(1)__Measure the public's opinion about or reaction to an issue, fact or theme;

(2)__Are at least 5 minutes in length if completed; and

(3)__Request demographic information for data collection.

Sec. 2. 21-A MRSA §1014-B is enacted to read:

§1014-B.__Push polling; disclosure; violation

Any person conducting a push poll on the telephone for any candidate for office shall disclose the name and address of the organization or company conducting the poll, the name and address of the person or organization who financed the expenditure for the poll and, if the poll is authorized by the candidate, the name of the candidate and the office for which the candidate is running.__A person who violates this section commits a Class E crime.