• 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 Secretary Bellows Statement Upon Re-Election as Secretary of State

AUGUSTA — This afternoon, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows was re-elected to another two-year term by the incoming members of the 131st Maine State Legislature.

"I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to continue serving the people of Maine as Secretary of State," said Secretary Bellows. "My promise is to be steadfast in my commitment to strengthen and protect democracy and to continue to work hard to modernize our technology in order to provide exceptional customer service across our Bureaus."

• Read more about Bellows Statement on Audit and Training Division Inclusion

AUGUSTA – Secretary of State Shenna Bellows released the below statement following the release of Gov. Janet Mills' change package to the supplemental budget, which includes funding for an Audit and Training Division within the Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions:

• Read more about Secretary Bellows to visit polling places on Election Day

AUGUSTA — Secretary of State Shenna Bellows will visit polling places, municipal clerks, poll workers and voters around Maine on November 8, the last day of voting in the General Election.

• Read more about Secretary Bellows Warns of Misleading Corporation and Non-Profit Solicitations

AUGUSTA — Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is warning Maine corporations and non-profits to watch out for a misleading solicitation they may have received in the mail which offer to file annual reports on their behalf, for a $195 fee.

• Read more about General Election Day 2022 – Three weeks away

AUGUSTA — With three weeks until the General Election, November 8, 2022, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Deputy Secretary of State for Corporations, Elections and Commissions Julie Flynn want to provide an update to the public about Maine's election processes for this stage of an election cycle. Further in-depth explainers will be provided for Election Day and post-election procedures.

• Read more about Secretary Bellows announces results of ballot recount for 2022 Republican Primary for State House District 73

AUGUSTA — A recount of ballots cast has been completed for the 2022 Republican Primary Recount for State Representative District 73.

The final recount tabulation shows that candidate Michael Soboleski is the winner of the House Republican Primary election with 418 votes while candidate Nancy J. Bessey has 413 votes.

Unofficial, preliminary results showed Soboleski with 419 votes and Bessey with 413 votes.

State House District 73 includes 22 towns in the counties of Franklin, Oxford, and Somerset.

• Read more about Citizen Initiative for Consumer-Owned Utilities Found Valid with 69,735 Signatures

AUGUSTA — The citizen initiative petition effort to create a consumer-owned utility has been found valid, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows confirmed today.

The petitions for "An Act To Create the Pine Tree Power Company, a Nonprofit, Customer-owned Utility" had been in circulation since October 22, 2021. On October 31, 2022 the Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions received 10,279 petition forms with 80,154 signatures of voters who support the initiative.

• Read more about Annual reports for business and nonprofit entities are due June 1

AUGUSTA — Annual reports are due on Thursday, June 1, 2023 for all business and nonprofit entities on file with the Secretary of State's office as of December 31, 2022.

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is reminding those who must file that they can do so quickly and easily using the Secretary of State’s online filing system. To file online, go to https://www10.informe.org/aro/index_on.html. Payment can be made by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express or with a subscriber account.

• Read more about Financial responsibility filings to BMV can now be submitted online

AUGUSTA — The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles announced a technological upgrade to the process that insurance companies must follow when helping suspended drivers restore their driving privilege.

"Streamlining the filing process through technology modernization reduces the burden on drivers, their insurance agents, and BMV staff – and just makes sense" said Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. "An online process is already being used in many other states, and this move will improve Maine’s efficiency in processing the necessary filings."