New Deadline for Calling Secret Ballot Elections in Maine

One of those deadlines municipal officials tend to know off the top of their heads is that referendum elections must be ordered at least 45 days in advance. This has now changed! The Maine Legislature in its last session changed the filing deadline for nomination papers from 45 days to 60 days prior to the election. Because the deadline for calling a referendum election is, under 30-A M.R.S.A. § 2528(5), the same as the deadline for filing nomination papers, both now fall on the 60th day prior to the election. This new deadline applies both to referendum questions ordered by the municipal officers and those requested by citizens’ petition. If your town has a different deadline under a local charter, that deadline will still apply regardless of this law change.