HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-02-08 16-091 ORDERCOUNCIL ACTION
Item No. 16-091
Date: February 8, 2016
Item/Subject: ORDER, Accepting Provisions of Title 21-A, Section 696, Subsection 2,
Paragraph C and Title 21-A, Section 722-A, As Governance For
Counting Write -In Votes
Responsible Department: City Clerk
Commentary:
On June 11, 2015, the Maine Legislature passed L.D. 626 An Act Regarding Write -In Candidates in
Municipal and City Elections. This law provides towns and cities with the opportunity to accept the
provisions of State law regarding counting write-in candidates. If accepted, the provisions would
require write-in candidates to declare candidacy with the City Clerk on or before the 45th day prior to
the election. Only write-in votes for declared candidates would require hand count. All other write-in
votes would not be hand counted.
Should there be no candidates for either School Committee or City Council, all write-in votes would
be hand counted.
This action requires a public hearing. This was reviewed and recommended for approval at the
January 20, 2016 Government Operations Committee meeting, and staff recommends approval, as
well.
Manager's Comments:
Associated Information: Order
Budget Approval:
Legal Approval:
Introduced for
X Passage — Public Hearing
First Reading
Referral
f'� > zr �
Department Head
City Manager
Finance Director
City Solicitor
Page _ of _
Assigned to Councilor Plourde
CITY OF BANGOR
16-091
FEBRUARY 8, 2016
(TITLE.) Order, Accepting Provisions of Tide 21-A, Section 696, Subsection 2, Paragraph C and Title
21-A, Section 722-A, As Governance For Counting Write -In Votes
WHEREAS, an amendment to the law regarding the counting of write-in votes, 30-A M.R.S.A.
§2501, subsection 3, was enacted last year; and
WHEREAS, municipalities now have the option of having the same requirements regarding
write-in candidates and vote counting for municipal elections as for other
elections.
By ttie City Council of the City ofBangor.-
ORDERED, that the provisions of Title 21-A, Section 696, Subsection 2, Paragrah C and Tine 21-
A, Section 722-A, are accepted as governance for Counting Write -In Votes. Votes for a write-in
candidate are counted only if that candidate has filed a timely declaration of write-in candidacy
with the municipal clerk in accordance with Tile 21-A, section 722-A, except that votes for write-
in candidates who have not filed a declaration of write-in candidacy must be counted if:
(1) The printed ballot does not include a properly nominated candidate for the office; or
(2) A properly nominated candidate for the office listed on the ballot withdraws from the
race before or on election day.
IN CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 8, 2016
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED TO OPEN PUBLIC HEARING
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED TO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED FOR PASSAGE
PASSED
CITY CLERK