Help America Vote Act

The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA), enacted by Congress on October 29, 2002, is the most significant piece of federal election reform legislation in the past 30 years. The federal law seeks to enhance the accessibility and integrity of elections across the country and authorizes federal funding to assist states in meeting the law's requirements. HAVA presents Maine with an exciting opportunity to enhance our elections with an unprecedented level of resources.

In Maine, our election laws and practices are strong and we are already in compliance with several of the federal requirements contained in the Help America Vote Act. However, with the appropriate federal funding authorized by HAVA, Maine is improving the integrity and administrative efficiency of the voter registration process, expanding existing poll worker training and voter education and outreach programs, and ensuring that every polling location is equipped with voting equipment designed to ensure people with disabilities have the same access and privacy that others have when casting a ballot.

Legislation: Help America Vote Act of 2002 - P.L. 107-252 (Adobe version)

State Plan

The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) provides states with an unprecedented level of federal resources to meet the new federal requirements and to make substantial election infrastructure improvements and technological advances. To receive these resources, section 254 of HAVA required each state to develop a State Plan outlining its approach to implementing HAVA.

In 2003, the Secretary of State and the State Plan Advisory Committee submitted the State of Maine Preliminary State Plan for the Implementation of the Help America Vote Act of 2002. Public Comments on the Preliminary State Plan were accepted from Friday, June 13, 2003 through Monday, July 14, 2003. The Secretary of State and the State Plan Advisory Committee took the comments into consideration in preparing the plan submitted to the federal government.

State Plan: (MSWord version) (Adobe version)

Election Information, Inquiries and Complaints:

Any individual with a question regarding the conduct of elections in Maine, may contact the clerk or registrar of voters in their municipality to either obtain election information or make a complaint about an election issue. Many questions or complaints are resolved at the local level. Individuals may also direct inquiries and complaints to the Elections Division of the Secretary of State's Office at cec.elections@maine.gov or 207-624-7650.

In compliance with section 402 of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), the Secretary of State has also established an administrative complaint procedure to resolve alleged violations of Title III of HAVA. The new process established by rule is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the more expedient process of resolving election complaints informally by communicating directly with local or state election officials as described above. Individuals wishing to file a complaint under the administrative complaint procedure must complete the Administrative Complaint Procedure Complaint Form. Electronic versions of the form are available below, along with electronic versions of the rule governing the administrative complaint procedure, 29-250 CMR Chapter 510 - Administrative Complaint Procedure for Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). Copies may also be obtained by contacting the Office of the Secretary of State.

Administrative Complaint Procedure Form (MSWord Version) (Adobe Version)
Administrative Complaint Procedure Rules (MSWord Version) (Adobe Version)