Me. Rev. Stat. » Title 21-A
Maine Revised Statutes

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 121 (2026)

Exclusive power of registrar

✓ current as of May 2026
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The registrar has the exclusive power, subject to section 163, to determine whether a person who applies for registration as a voter meets the qualifications prescribed by this Title.   [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
1.  Oath may be required.  In making this determination, the registrar may require any person who testifies before the registrar concerning the person's qualifications or those of another to swear to the truth of the person's statements.  
[RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §36 (COR).]
1-A.  Identification and proof.  A person who registers in person shall show proof of identity and residency. If satisfactory proof of identity and residency cannot be provided to the registrar or deputy, the person's name is entered into the central voter registration system and placed on the incoming voting list and the ballot the person casts is a challenged ballot. If the person shows satisfactory proof of identity and residency prior to voting on election day, the person's ballot is not a challenged ballot.  
[PL 2025, c. 397, §2 (RPR).]
2.  Political party not a qualification.  The registrar shall be impartial as to the political party of the applicant in determining the applicant's voting qualifications.  
[PL 1989, c. 313, §1 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW). PL 1989, c. 313, §1 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 473, §6 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 473, §46 (AFF). PL 1993, c. 695, §5 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 436, §22 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 426, §6 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 453, §12 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 534, §4 (AMD). RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §36 (COR). PL 2021, c. 439, §2 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 439, §15 (AFF). PL 2023, c. 291, §1 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 291, §4 (AFF). PL 2025, c. 397, §2 (AMD).
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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5 cases, 1998–2020 · leading case: Maine Taxpayers Action Network v. Sec'y of State, 2002 ME 64 (Me. 2002).
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Maine Taxpayers Action Network v. Sec'y of State, 2002 ME 64 (Me. 2002). · cites it 2× “" 21-A M.R.S.A. § 121 (Supp.2001). Section 161 also provides that "[t]he registrar has the exclusive power to prepare and revise the voting list.”
David A. Jones v. Sec'y of State, 2020 ME 113 (Me. 2020). “Only a municipal registrar can determine that a person is qualified to register as a voter in the municipality, see 21-A M.R.S. § 121 (2020), and a person’s residency in that municipality is a necessary qualification for registration, see id.”
Palesky v. Sec'y of State, 1998 ME 103 (Me. 1998). “21-A M.R.S.A §§ 121, 161 (1993 & Supp.1997).”
David A. Jones v. Sec'y of State, 2020 ME 117 (Me. 2020). “21-A M.R.S. § 121(1-A) (2020); see 21-A M.”
Johnson v. Dunlap (Me. Super. Ct 2009). “Rather, it means that relying on the certificates of municipal registrars, who have the "exclusive power" under 21-A M.R.S.A. § 121 to determine whether a person is a registered voter is not error.”
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