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LD 734

An Act To Promote Voter Registration For Students In Maine'S High Schools

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mana Abdi and 8 co-sponsors

Maine high schools would have been required to annually organize voter education and registration for students starting in 2026-2027, creating a state-mandated activity with notabl

Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
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Bill Summary · LD 734

Summary: LD 734 — An Act To Promote Voter Registration For Students In Maine's High Schools

  • Bill number and title: LD 734, An Act To Promote Voter Registration For Students In Maine's High Schools
  • Status: Dead. Placed in Legislative Files under Joint Rule 310.3 on 2025-04-08 after consideration; previously reported ONTP (2025-04-07) and carried over in March 2025.
  • Introduced: February 25, 2025
  • Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
  • Sponsor: Rep. McCabe (Lewiston)

Purpose and intent

LD 734 would require Maine secondary schools to actively organize and facilitate voter education and registration activities for students each year, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. The bill aims to promote student engagement in the electoral process by ensuring ongoing opportunities for high school students to learn about voting and to register.

Key provisions

  • Mandate on schools: Requires all secondary schools to organize and facilitate voter education and voter registration activities annually.
  • Starting timeline: The required activities would begin in the 2026-2027 school year.
  • Scope: Applies to “school” units (secondary education institutions) across Maine.
  • State mandate questions: The fiscal note flags the provision as a potential state/local mandate, with significant anticipated local costs statewide.
  • Administrative costs: The State Department of Secretary of State would incur only minor costs that can be absorbed within existing budgets.

Financial and fiscal implications

  • Local costs: The fiscal note identifies “significant statewide” local costs due to the mandated activities, implying a potential state mandate that could require funding support.
  • State funding options for mandates: If deemed a true state mandate, the bill would trigger Maine’s mandate framework, which offers two paths to cover local costs:
    • Provide General Fund appropriations to fund at least 90% of the additional local costs, or
    • Add a Mandate Preamble and obtain a two-thirds vote in both houses to exempt the mandate from the funding requirement.
  • Secretary of State: Costs to the SOS are expected to be minor and absorbable within current resources.

Who would be affected

  • Primary: Maine secondary schools (students, school staff, and administration) in charge of delivering and coordinating voter education and registration activities.
  • Indirect: Local school districts and municipalities that would bear any required additional costs to implement the activities.
  • State government: Secretary of State, for potential coordination and support activities related to voter education/registration.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • 2025-02-25: Referred to the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.
  • 2025-02-25: Carried to concurrence; sent to the committee with urgency.
  • 2025-03-19 to 2025-03-21: Work sessions; bill tabled and carried over to next session per Joint Order SP 519.
  • 2025-04-02 to 2025-04-07: Work sessions and reports (ONTP); further action did not advance.
  • 2025-04-08: Placed in Legislative Files as DEAD (no further movement in the 132nd Legislature).

Takeaway

LD 734 sought to institutionalize voter education and registration for Maine high school students starting in 2026-2027, creating a state-mandated activity for secondary schools with potential substantial local costs and minor state costs. Despite the stated intent and fiscal considerations, the bill did not advance and is currently dead in the 132nd Legislature.

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

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