FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2012
Contact: Megan Sanborn
(207) 441-0501

Secretary of State Charles Summers Announces February 14, 2012 Special Election For Maine Senate District 20

Special election will fill legislative vacancy created by David Trahan’s resignation.

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Secretary of State Charles Summers announces that a special election in State Senate District 20 will be held on Tuesday, February 14, 2012. The election is required to fill a vacancy created by David Trahan’s resignation.

State Senate District 20 represents the municipality of Alna, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Bremen, Bristol, Damariscotta, Edgecomb, Friendship, Hibberts Gore, Jefferson, Monhegan Island Plantation, Newcastle, Nobleboro, Somerville, South Bristol, Southport, Waldoboro, Washington, Westport Island, Whitefield, Windsor and Wiscasset.

In accordance with Title 21-A, Maine law on Elections and the Maine Constitution, Governor LePage issued a proclamation declaring the vacancy and ordering the appropriate political committees in Senate District 20 to meet. County Democratic, Green Independent and Republican committees have until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17, 2012, to file a Certificate of Nomination with the Secretary of State in order to place the name of a candidate on the Special Election ballot. A caucus of the county committee members residing within Senate District 20 will be held to nominate a candidate. The caucus will be called and conducted under the applicable party rules.

Nomination petitions for candidates who are not enrolled in a party are available through the Division of Elections. Non-party candidate petitions, containing the signatures of at least 200 qualified electors, must be filed with the Secretary of State by 5 p.m. January 17, 2011. Any registered voter who resides within the district may sign the petition, regardless of political party designation.

The Department of the Secretary of State is responsible for accepting and reviewing the Certificates of Nomination, printing the ballots, providing information and assistance to municipal officials as needed, and confirming the election results.

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