Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §90-C is enacted to read:

§90-C.__Prohibited activities

The Secretary of State may not use the secretary's official authority or influence for the purpose of:

1.__Political activity.__Engaging in any form of political activity, including making any type of communication that could reasonably be viewed as engaging in political activity; or

2.__Intimidation.__Attempting to intimidate, threaten, coerce, command or influence a person to give or withhold a political contribution or to engage or not to engage in any form of political activity.

For the purposes of this section, "use of official authority or influence" includes promising to confer or conferring a benefit such as compensation or a grant, contract, license or ruling; or taking, directing others to take, recommending, processing or approving any personnel action.__As used in this section, "political activity" means to advocate expressly for the election or defeat of any candidate for a federal office or a constitutional office or any candidate for a partisan elective municipal, county or state office, including leadership positions in the Senate and the House of Representatives, or to solicit contributions reportable under Title 21-A, chapter 13.

SUMMARY

This bill prohibits the Secretary of State from using the secretary's official authority to interfere with or influence a partisan election or engage in any type of political activity.