Code of Maine Rules
29 - DEPARTMENT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
250 - BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES
Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions
Chapter 550 - RULES FOR DETERMINING VOTER INTENT
Section 250-550-3 - INVALID VOTES

Universal Citation: 29 ME Code Rules ยง 250-550-3

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

1. Write-in candidates. A vote for a write-in candidate is deemed invalid by statute and may not be counted if:

A. the voter writes in the name of a person who has not filed a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy as provided by 21-A M.R.S. § 722-A;

B. the voter writes in the name of a declared write-in candidate in the blank space provided for a write-in but does not mark the voting indicator; or

C. the voter pastes in a printed sticker for a declared write-in candidate, whether or not the voting indicator is marked.

2. Overvotes. If the voter indicates a choice for more candidates for an office than there are vacancies to be filled, or indicates more than one choice for a ballot question, it is an invalid overvote and may not be counted. Whether the voter has indicated a choice shall be determined in accordance with section 4 of this chapter. If the voter has marked the voting indicator for a write-in candidate but leaves blank the space for the write-in candidate's name and also indicates a choice for a named candidate for the same office, that does not constitute an overvote and the vote shall be counted for the named candidate.

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