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LD 158

An Act To Direct The Secretary Of State To Establish A Date Each Year For Voting By Absentee Ballot

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by David Boyer and 6 co-sponsors

Secretary of State sets a uniform annual start date for in-person absentee voting at municipal clerk offices, giving voters and clerks a consistent statewide start.

Signed by Governor
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Bill Summary · LD 158

Summary — LD 158 (132nd Maine Legislature)

Title: An Act To Direct The Secretary Of State To Establish A Date Each Year For Voting By Absentee Ballot
Sponsor: Rep. Parry of Arundel
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
Status: Signed by Governor (May 29, 2025)

Purpose

LD 158 requires the Secretary of State to set, on an annual basis, a specific date each year to begin absentee voting. A committee amendment clarified that the provision pertains to the start date for voting by absentee ballot in the presence of the municipal clerk (i.e., in‑person absentee voting at clerk’s offices).

Key provisions

  • Directs the Secretary of State to establish a uniform annual date to begin absentee voting.
  • Committee Amendment "A" (H‑150) narrows/clarifies the measure to address the date to begin voting by absentee ballot in the presence of the clerk (municipal clerk offices).
  • The statute places the responsibility for setting that start date with the Secretary of State, allowing the office to specify the date each year.

(The bill text itself is not included here; the summary reflects the bill title and amendment language as enacted.)

Who is affected

  • Voters who use absentee ballots, particularly those who vote absentee in person at municipal clerk offices — they will have a consistent, Secretary‑determined start date each year.
  • Municipal clerks and local election officials — required to follow the statewide start date set by the Secretary of State.
  • Secretary of State’s office — gains administrative responsibility to set the annual start date and communicate it to local officials and the public.

Fiscal impact

  • Fiscal notes for the original bill and the amended versions all state: No fiscal impact.

Legislative timeline / procedural history

  • Introduced: January 14, 2025.
  • Committee action: Veterans and Legal Affairs – Work session; recommended OTP‑AM (ought to pass as amended).
  • Passed by Legislature: May 20–27, 2025 (Committee Amendment "A" adopted; passed to be enacted).
  • Governor signed: May 29, 2025.
  • Fiscal notes approved: Feb 12, Apr 4, and May 21, 2025 — all indicate no fiscal impact.

Practical effect / implementation

  • Once the Secretary of State issues the yearly start date, municipal clerks will begin allowing in‑person absentee voting on that date statewide. The change creates a uniform, administratively determined starting point for absentee voting in the presence of clerks.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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