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LD 718

An Act To Require Municipal Clerks To Issue Absentee Ballots Only To Residents Of That Municipality And To Eliminate Ongoing Absentee Voter Status

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jeff Adams

Bill eliminates Maine's automatic absentee ballot renewal and restricts municipal clerk issuance to municipal residents only, requiring voters to reapply each election.

Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
#absenteevoting #elections #mailing
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LD 718

Legislative bill overview

LD 718 would restrict municipal clerks to issuing absentee ballots only to residents of their municipality and eliminate Maine's "ongoing absentee voter status" program, which currently allows voters to automatically receive absentee ballots for multiple elections without reapplying. The bill aims to tighten absentee voting procedures by requiring voters to request ballots for each election cycle.

Why is this important

Absentee voting access directly affects voter participation rates, particularly for elderly voters, people with disabilities, military personnel, and those with work or travel obligations. The bill's outcome would either enhance election security protocols or reduce voting accessibility depending on one's policy perspective. Maine's ongoing absentee status has been used by thousands of voters for decades.

Potential points of contention

  • Election security vs. accessibility trade-off: Supporters argue stricter residency verification prevents fraud; opponents contend the existing system is secure and that eliminating convenience voting suppresses legitimate participation
  • Administrative burden: Requiring reapplication each election increases workload for municipal clerks and creates friction that may discourage voting among eligible citizens
  • Disproportionate impact: The change may affect elderly voters and those with mobility challenges more severely, as they rely heavily on absentee voting consistency

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

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