• Read more about In-person absentee voting underway across the state

AUGUSTA — In-person, no-excuse absentee voting is underway in Maine’s towns and cities across the state for the Nov. 7, 2023 Referendum Election.

“There are many ways that Mainers can cast their ballot, depending on what works for them and their busy schedules,” said Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. “The ease and accessibility of no-excuse absentee voting for 30 days before an election is one of the reasons we’ve consistently been among the states with the highest turnout, including being first in the nation last November.”

• Read more about Bills would advance BMV modernization efforts

AUGUSTA — Two bills with public hearings in the Legislature’s Transportation Committee this week would advance the Bureau of Motor Vehicles’ modernization efforts.

• Read more about Public comment period now open on wording of ballot question

AUGUSTA — Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is now accepting public comment on the wording of a citizen initiative question that will appear on the November 7, 2023 Referendum Election ballot, unless enacted by the Legislature as written.

The department’s Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions has certified An Act Regarding Automotive Right to Repair. The ballot question, as drafted, reads:

• Read more about Scarborough BMV to reopen Monday

AUGUSTA — The Scarborough Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch will reopen Monday, May 22, following a temporary closure for remedial work stemming from water damage that resulted from the bitterly cold temperatures in early February.

Following this winter’s coldest days, a roof drain above the office broke, sending water cascading into the interior of the branch. Staff worked quickly to ensure safety of customers and ensure electronics were out of range of the water pouring from the ceiling.

• Read more about Special election set to fill House District 50 seat

AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows signed the proclamation announcing a special election for the Maine House District 50 seat will be held Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023.

This House seat was previously held by State Representative Sean Paulhus, who resigned recently.

House District 50 is comprised of the city of Bath.

• Read more about Department of Homeland Security delays Real ID enforcement deadline to 2023

AUGUSTA – The Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday that the Real ID enforcement deadline is now extended to May 3, 2023.
The 19-month extension is in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on U.S. citizens’ ability to obtain a Real ID-compliant credential during the past year. The full statement is available on the DHS website.

• Read more about Citizen initiative found valid with 76,081 signatures

AUGUSTA — The citizen initiative petition effort "An Act to Limit Contributions to Political Action Committees That Make Independent Expenditures" has been found valid, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows confirmed today.

The petitions for "An Act to Limit Contributions to Political Action Committees That Make Independent Expenditures" had been in circulation since October 27, 2023. On January 23, 2024 the Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions received 11,313 petition forms with 84,025 signatures of voters who support the initiative.

• Read more about Maine Secretary of State Decision in Challenge to Trump Presidential Primary Petitions

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows issued the attached decision regarding three challenges brought by Maine voters to the nomination petition of Donald J. Trump, for the Republican primary for the President of the United States.

The Secretary of State’s Office received three challenges to the nomination of Mr. Trump, each filed under 21-A M.R.S. � � 336 and 337.

• Read more about Public hearing on new general issue license plate to be held Wednesday

AUGUSTA — Legislation authorizing the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) to replace the current general issue chickadee plates with a new design will be the subject of a public hearing in the Legislature’s Transportation Committee on Wednesday, May 31 at 10:00 a.m.

• Read more about Perham residents can now renew vehicle registrations online

AUGUSTA — Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has announced that Perham has launched Rapid Renewal, the Department of the Secretary of State’s online service for the renewal of motor vehicle registrations.

Rapid Renewal allows Mainers to conduct business with municipal and state government in one seamless online transaction.

While municipal participation in Rapid Renewal is optional, the service has now includes 338 municipalities and more than 2.9 million transactions have been processed to date.