Hearing to be held Wednesday, June 3 at 9:30 a.m.
AUGUSTA, MAINE – A hearing regarding a written challenge to the nomination petitions filed by Kevin Nichols as a non-party candidate for Androscoggin County Sheriff will be held on Wednesday, June 3. The hearing will be held in room 202 of the Burton Cross Office Building (111 Sewall Street, Augusta) and will begin at 9:30 a.m. Deputy Secretary Julie Flynn of the Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions will serve as the Presiding Officer at the Hearing, and Assistant Attorney General Jon Bolton will assist as legal counsel.
The Secretary of State’s Office received the written challenge from Eric G. Samson alleging that Mr. Nichols has no recorded history of holding a supervisory position as required by Maine statute 30-A M.R.S. §371-B (3)(E).
The challenger has the burden of providing sufficient evidence to invalidate the petition. At the hearing there will be an opportunity for the challengers and the candidate to present oral testimony of witnesses as well as additional documentary evidence, and to make oral arguments. Written affidavits from witnesses will not be accepted as evidence unless those witnesses are available for cross-examination. Witnesses will be permitted to appear by video conference if they are not otherwise available to attend the hearing.
Following Maine election law, a decision on the validity of the challenges will be made within five (5) business days of the completion of the hearing. A challenger or a candidate may appeal the decision to the Superior Court, whose decision may in turn be appealed to the Law Court.
The hearing will be livestreamed on the Department’s YouTube page.
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