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132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST REGULAR SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 397H.P. 251House of Representatives, February 4, 2025
An Act to Require a Voter to Show Photographic Identification
Reference to the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative PAUL of Winterport.
Cosponsored by Representatives: ARDELL of Monticello, BISHOP of Bucksport, MINGO of
Calais, SMITH of Palermo, WHITE of Guilford, WHITE of Ellsworth, Senator:
HARRINGTON of York. Page 1 - 132LR0591(01)
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2 as enacted by PL 2009, c. 253, §11, is
3 amended to read:
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5 identification document without a photograph, including, but not limited to, a certified birth
6 certificate or a signed social security card; or
7 as amended by PL 2021, c. 246, §1, is
8 repealed.
9 as enacted by PL 2021, c. 246, §2, is
10 repealed.
11 as amended by PL 2019, c. 371, §20, is further
12 amended to read:
13 A voter who wishes to vote must
14 present proof of identity in the form of a photograph identification document or a special
15 voter photograph identification card pursuant to subsection 9 and state the voter's name and
16 residence address to an election clerk, who shall announce the name in a loud, clear voice.
17 If the voter's stated residence address is different from the residence address listed on the
18 incoming voting list, the voter must be directed to complete an updated voter registration
19 application before voting.
20 is enacted to read:
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22 who does not possess a photograph identification document may request from the Secretary
23 of State a special voter photograph identification card, which must be issued free of charge
24 and is valid for voter identification under this section. The Secretary of State shall establish
25 procedures through rulemaking for the issuance of special voter photograph identification
26 cards under this subsection. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical
27 rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
28as amended by PL 2021, c. 750, §9 and affected by §14
29 is further amended by enacting at the end a new paragraph to read:
30 For purposes of this section, "photograph identification document" means a current and
31 valid driver's license or nondriver identification card issued in this State, a United States
32 passport, a military identification or a permit to carry a concealed handgun issued under
33 Title 25, chapter 252 if that permit includes a photograph. "Photograph identification
34 document" does not include an identification issued by a college or university in this State.
35 is enacted to read:
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37 approve the form of notice informing the voter that a copy of a photograph identification
38 document must be submitted with the absentee ballot in accordance with section 754-B.
39 is enacted to read:
40 Page 2 - 132LR0591(01)
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2 "photograph identification document" has the same meaning as in section 671, subsection
3 1.
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5 submit with the absentee ballot proof of identity in the form of a copy of a photograph
6 identification document or a special voter photograph identification card as described in
7 subsection 3.
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9 ballot and who does not possess a photograph identification document may request from
10 the Secretary of State a special voter photograph identification card pursuant to section 671,
11 subsection 9.
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13 adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter
14 375, subchapter 2-A.
15This Act takes effect January 1, 2026.
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17 This bill requires the presentation of proof of identity in the form of a photograph
18 identification document when voting in person or by absentee ballot and removes certain
19 official documents from the list of forms of documentation accepted to verify the identity
20 of an applicant who is registering to vote. Under the bill, acceptable photograph
21 identification is a current and valid driver's license or nondriver identification card issued
22 in this State, a United States passport, a military identification or a permit to carry a
23 concealed handgun issued in this State if that permit includes a photograph. The bill
24 provides that a student photograph identification document issued by a college or university
25 in this State may not be accepted for voter identification when voting or when registering
26 to vote. The bill also allows a person who does not possess a photograph identification
27 document to request a free special voter photograph identification card from the Secretary
28 of State.
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