FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2010
Contact: Matthew Dunlap
207-626-8400

Secretary of State Dunlap Declares Vacancy in York County Commissioner District 5 Office and the Androscoggin County Register of Probate Office

Vacancies to be Filled at Special Election on November 2nd

AUGUSTA, MAINE – Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap announced on July 16th that the County Commissioner District 5 vacancy in York County and the Register of Probate vacancy in Androscoggin County will be filled at a special election to be held in conjunction with the General Election on November 2, 2010. The York County Commissioner vacancy was created by the death of Gloria R. Layman. York County Commissioner District 5 includes the municipalities of Eliot, Kittery, Ogunquit, Wells and York. The Androscoggin County Register of Probate Office vacancy was created by the resignation of Leonard E. Bartel, who resigned shortly after being elected at the 2008 General Election.

In a Vacancy Declaration issued last week, Secretary Dunlap explained that the Maine Revised Statutes provide that, in the event of a vacancy in the office of County Commissioner caused by the death of the incumbent, a new County Commissioner must be chosen at the next biennial election, to serve for the remainder of the term, which in this instance is until December 31, 2012.

Likewise, in the event of a vacancy in the office of Register of Probate caused by the resignation of the incumbent, a new Register of Probate must be chosen at the next biennial election, to serve for the remainder of the term, which in this instance is until December 31, 2012.

Dunlap further indicated that Title 21-A, Maine Election Law, provides that if a vacancy occurs by the death or resignation of an incumbent, the vacancy must be declared and the appropriate qualified political committees notified of the deadline to meet to nominate a qualified candidate to fill the vacancy. As required, the Democratic, Green Independent and Republican political party committees for Androscoggin and York County have been notified. Instructions have also been provided explaining the statutory requirements for filling the vacancy. Each political party committee that plans to nominate a candidate must file a Certificate of Nomination of the candidate for this office with the Secretary of State on or before 5 p.m., on Monday, August 16, 2010. Additionally, the candidate must file the Certificate of Acceptance of Party Nomination with the Secretary of State by this same deadline.

Dunlap noted that candidates who are not enrolled in one of Maine’s officially recognized political parties (Democratic, Green Independent, Republican) may qualify for placement on the special election ballot by submitting a minimum of 100 signatures and a maximum of 150 signatures of registered voters in York County Commissioner District 5 for that vacancy and by submitting a minimum of 300 signatures and a maximum of 400 signatures of registered voters in Androscoggin County for the Androscoggin County vacancy. Any registered voter, regardless of enrollment status, may sign the petitions. Candidates may obtain nomination petitions from the Elections Division in the Department of the Secretary of State.

Each petition must be verified by its circulator. All signatures must be certified by the applicable registrar of voters prior to filing with the Secretary of State. The candidate must sign a “Candidate’s Consent” before a notary public. The petitions must be submitted to the Elections Division for review on or before 5 p.m., August 16, 2010. If properly completed with the required number of signatures, the petitions will be accepted and filed by the Secretary of State. Each candidate will be notified by the Secretary of State of the acceptance of the petitions.

Additional information is available by calling the Elections Division at (207) 624-7650 or by sending a message to Elections.CEC@maine.gov.