CHAPTER 404

S.P. 446 - L.D. 1266

An Act Regarding Distribution of Information from the

Central Voter Registration System

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 21-A MRSA §1, sub-§13, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 161, §6, is amended to read:

13. Distinguishing mark. "Distinguishing mark" means a mark on a ballot of a type or in a place not specifically permitted by this Title, which indicates the apparent intent of the voter to make his the voter's ballot distinguishable in a manner that is fraudulent or inconsistent with an honest purpose. A stray mark on the ballot or mark made on or in the voting indicator or near the candidate's name or space for a write-in candidate that differs from the instructions at the top of the ballot is not a distinguishing mark unless it is of such a character or is made in such a manner that it manifests an intent to make the ballot distinguishable for a fraudulent or dishonest purpose.__Marking the write-in space on a ballot with the name of a fictitious person, a deceased person or a person from outside the State who could not be a candidate for that office is not a distinguishing mark unless it is made in such a manner that manifests an intent to make the ballot distinguishable for a fraudulent or dishonest purpose.

Sec. 2. 21-A MRSA §196 is enacted to read:

§196.__Use and distribution of central voter registration

information