1. How Used Ballots Are Handled

After an election, the used ballots are put in sealed, tamper-proof containers. These containers must stay sealed and safe for at least 2 months, unless the Maine Secretary of State says it’s okay to open them sooner. After 2 months, the election clerk can open these containers, but only with witnesses present. They then move the ballots to new sealed containers for storage until they are eventually destroyed as the law requires. Throughout this time, only the election clerk keeps control of these ballots.

2. How Unused Ballots Are Stored

At the end of voting, any unused ballots (both absentee and regular) must be physically marked as canceled so they cannot be used in the election. These unused ballots are placed back into their containers, which must be clearly labeled as containing unused ballots and kept separate from used ballots. These containers should remain sealed and under the clerk’s control until the ballots are destroyed according to law.

3. Procedure for Handling Ballots During a Recount

When someone requests a recount for certain offices like State Senator, State Representative, or single-county offices, the Secretary of State will notify a courier service. This courier will take physical control of all ballots and related materials right away and deliver them to where the recount is happening.

For bigger elections, like statewide or presidential elections, the Secretary of State can order the courier to bring ballots from different areas in stages. The recount continues until the candidate asking for it gives up or until all ballots are recounted. If no courier service is available, the Maine State Police will take over this job.

4. Access and Inspection of Ballots

Upon request, election officials (either the municipal clerk or the Secretary of State) must provide ballots or voting records to government officials, legislative committees, or courts. The original ballots stay in the custody of whoever requested them and must be kept secure.

If there are disputed ballots from a recount for State House or Senate elections, the Secretary of State must make copies available for public viewing. These copies will keep each voter’s identity anonymous and are kept for 2 years after the election results are final.

5. Restrictions on Handling Voting Machines and Devices

Municipal clerks are not allowed to give control of voting machines or devices to anyone else unless the Secretary of State specifically authorizes it. This makes sure only approved people handle the voting equipment.

Summary

This law aims to protect election security by making sure ballots and voting equipment are handled carefully and by trusted officials only, setting rules for storage, recounts, access, and transfer of election materials. It helps ensure that ballots are safe from tampering and that election results can be verified fairly.