[Comments on this legislation] [Text and Analysis] [Add to Watch List]
[Previous] [Next]

• Introduced by Rep. Hannah M. Pingree (D) on March 8, 2007, this bill establishes a procedure for regular scientific audits of the State's election machinery on a biennial basis, by means of manually recounting the ballots of a random sample of all voting machines in the State. The bill also establishes an escalating recount procedure in the event that unacceptable discrepancies are discovered during the random sample recount process, and it mandates the regular statistical analysis of those discrepancies. This bill establishes the Maine Electoral Transparency Fund to provide reimbursement for costs incurred in performing the recounts. Resources of the fund come from an income tax checkoff and voluntary contributions. Contingency plans for shortages and surpluses in the fund are also addressed.
  • Referred to the Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee on March 8, 2007.
• Passed in the House by voice vote on March 8, 2007.
• Received in the Senate on January 2, 2008.
• Failed in the Senate by voice vote on January 2, 2008, the house and/or senate have decided against further actions and the bill is dead.