• Read more about Scarborough BMV to be temporarily closed

AUGUSTA — The Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) Scarborough branch will be temporarily closed starting May 25 to allow for further repair work following the broken roof drain in February 2023. The branch is expected to be closed for at least four weeks while work is ongoing.

Following that 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 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 Notary Public, marriage officiant changes in effect

AUGUSTA — Changes to Maine notarial law are now in effect under a 2022 law which establishes a separate office of marriage officiant and allows for remote and electronic notarization.

• Read more about Special election set to fill House District 122 seat

Governor Janet Mills and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows signed the proclamation announcing a special election for the Maine House District 122 seat will be held March 5, 2024.

This House seat was previously held by State Representative Lois Galgay Reckitt, who passed away in October.

House District 122 is made up of part of South Portland.

• Read more about Maine State Archives hires Director for the Maine Semiquincentennial Commission

AUGUSTA — Maine State Archives has hired Sarah Hansen as the Director of Special Projects for the Maine Semiquincentennial Commission. Hansen started in her new role on June 3.

"I am thrilled to be joining the outstanding team at Maine State Archives and the Maine Semiquincentennial Commission," said Hansen. "This is an incredible opportunity for all Mainers to come together to explore our stories, rich and challenging, and meaningfully engage each other in understanding the power of this place we now call Maine."

• Read more about BMV to Unveil Appointments System

AUGUSTA — On Monday the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) will unveil an appointment system for Mainers to schedule appointments at branch offices around the state.

"Mainers lead busy lives, and for a variety of reasons, many people have limited time for errands like renewing their license," said Secretary Bellows. "Launching appointments while maintaining walk-in options is a common sense step forward to better serve our customers."

• Read more about Secretary Bellows Statement on Two Year Anniversary of Attack on U.S. Capitol

AUGUSTA - Secretary of State Shenna Bellows release the following statement on Friday, January 6, the two year anniversary of the attack on the U.S. Capitol and the peaceful transfer of power which occurred January 6, 2021:

• Read more about Full results for Referendum Election posted online

The official tabulation of the votes cast for the November 7, 2023 Referendum Election has been posted on the Secretary of State’s website.

The tabulation is available here, and was communicated to Gov. Janet Mills yesterday, November 27. Gov. Mills has 10 days from yesterday to proclaim the results of the ballot questions.

• Read more about List of Presidential Primary candidates as of Dec. 1 filing deadline

The deadline for candidates for president to turn in a sufficient number of signatures to be on the March 5, 2024 Primary Election ballot was 5 p.m. today. As of that deadline, the following candidates have submitted the required 2,000 signatures from Maine voters:

Democrats:

• Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
• Dean B. Phillips

Republicans:

• Read more about Secretary Bellows applauds Committee vote to protect Ranked Choice Voting

AUGUSTA — Secretary of State Shenna Bellows released the below statement following the Legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee bipartisan 7-1 vote today to defeat LD 1038, a bill that would repeal Maine’s Ranked Choice Voting law.