An Act To Make Clean Election Filing Deadlines Consistent for All Candidates
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 21-A MRSA §1125, sub-§10, as amended by IB 2015, c. 1, §26, is further amended to read:
10. Candidate not enrolled in a party. An unenrolled candidate for the Legislature who submits the required number of qualifying contributions and other required documents under subsection 4 by 5:00 p.m. on April 20th June 1st preceding the primary election and who is certified is eligible for revenues from the fund in the same amounts and at the same time as an uncontested primary election candidate and a general election candidate as specified in subsections 7, 8-C and 8-D. Revenues for the general election must be distributed to the candidate as specified in subsection 7. An unenrolled candidate for Governor who submits the required number of qualifying contributions and other required documents under subsection 4 by 5:00 p.m. on April June 1st preceding the primary election and who is certified is eligible for revenues from the fund in the same amounts and at the same time as an uncontested primary election gubernatorial candidate and a general election gubernatorial candidate as specified in subsections 7 and 8-B. Revenues for the general election must be distributed to the candidate for Governor as specified in subsection 7.
summary
This bill changes the date on which a candidate who is not enrolled in a party must file to participate in the Maine Clean Election Act from April 20th to June 1st for a candidate for the Legislature and from April 1st to June 1st for a candidate for Governor. Current law provides that a nomination petition must be filed in the office of the Secretary of State by June 1st.