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

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 354 (2026)

Petition requirements

✓ current as of May 2026
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A nomination petition shall be on a form provided by the Secretary of State and is governed by the following provisions.   [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
1.  Content.  A nomination petition must contain the name of only one candidate, the candidate's municipality of residence, the office sought and electoral division. A nomination petition may contain as many separate papers as necessary and may contain the candidate's consent required by section 355. It may also contain the candidate's political designation. This designation may not exceed 3 words in length, may not incorporate the candidate's name or the designation or an abbreviation of the designation of a party that is qualified to nominate candidates by primary election and may not consist of or comprise language that is obscene, contemptuous, profane or prejudicial, promotes abusive or unlawful activity or violates any other provision of the laws of this State with respect to names. A candidate who intends to form a new party about that person's candidacy must use the proposed party's designation.  
A. When 2 United States Senators are to be nominated, the nomination petition must contain the term of office sought by the candidate.   [PL 2019, c. 371, §11 (AMD).]
B. The names of presidential electors must be placed on the petition as a slate. The names of the candidates for President and Vice President must be placed on a petition for the nomination of presidential electors.   [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
[PL 2023, c. 389, §3 (AMD).]
2.  By whom signed.  A nomination petition may be signed only by voters of the electoral division which is to make the nomination, except that nomination petitions for presidential electors may be signed by any Maine voter. Other signatures are void.  
[PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
3.  How signed.  The voter must personally sign that voter's name in such a manner as to satisfy the registrar of that voter's municipality that the voter is a registered voter. Either the voter or the circulator of the petition must print the voter's name.  
[RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §46 (COR).]
4.  Residence.  The voter or the circulator of the petition must write or print the voter's residence address and municipality of registration. Ditto marks are permitted for residence address and municipality of registration only.  
[PL 2005, c. 453, §49 (AMD).]
5.  Number of signatures required.  Nomination petitions must be signed by the following numbers of voters:  
A. For a slate of candidates for the office of presidential elector, at least 4,000 and not more than 5,000 voters;   [PL 2021, c. 273, §6 (AMD).]
B. For a candidate for Governor, at least 4,000 and not more than 5,000 voters;   [PL 2021, c. 273, §6 (AMD).]
C. For a candidate for United States Senator, at least 4,000 and not more than 5,000 voters;   [PL 2021, c. 273, §6 (AMD).]
D. For a candidate for United States Representative, at least 2,000 and not more than 2,500 voters;   [PL 2021, c. 273, §6 (AMD).]
E. For a candidate for county office other than county commissioner or county charter commission member, at least 300 and not more than 400 voters;   [PL 1991, c. 362, §2 (AMD).]
E-1. For a candidate for county commissioner, at least 100 and not more than 150 voters;   [PL 1991, c. 362, §3 (NEW).]
F. For a candidate for State Senator, at least 200 and not more than 300 voters;   [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
G. For a candidate for State Representative, at least 50 and not more than 80 voters; and   [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
H. For a candidate for county charter commission member, at least 50 and not more than 80 voters.   [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
[PL 2021, c. 273, §6 (AMD).]
6.  When signed.  A nomination petition may not be signed before January 1st of the election year in which it is to be used.  
[PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]
7.  Certification of petitions.  A nomination petition shall be verified and certified as follows.  
A. The circulator of a nomination petition shall verify by oath or affirmation before a notary public or other person authorized by law to administer oaths or affirmations that the circulator personally witnessed all of the signatures to the petition and that to the best of the circulator's knowledge and belief each signature is the signature of the person whose name it purports to be; each signature authorized under section 153‑A was made by the authorized signer in the presence and at the direction of the voter; and each person is a resident of the electoral division named in the petition.   [PL 2009, c. 253, §20 (AMD).]
B. Petitions must be delivered to the registrar, or clerk at the request or upon the absence of the registrar, for certification by 5 p.m. on May 25th in the election year in which the petitions are to be used, except that petitions for a slate of candidates for the office of presidential elector must be delivered for certification by 5 p.m. on July 25th in the election year in which the petitions are to be used.   [PL 2013, c. 131, §12 (AMD).]
C. The registrar, or clerk at the request or upon the absence of the registrar, of each municipality concerned shall certify which names on a petition appear in the central voter registration system as registered voters in that municipality and may not certify any names that do not satisfy subsection 3.   [PL 2005, c. 453, §50 (AMD).]
[PL 2013, c. 131, §12 (AMD).]
8.  Filed with the Secretary of State. 
[PL 1985, c. 383, §7 (RP).]
8-A.  Filed with the Secretary of State.  A nomination petition must be filed in the office of the Secretary of State by 5 p.m. on June 1st in the election year in which it is to be used, except that petitions for a slate of candidates for the office of presidential elector must be filed in the office of the Secretary of State by 5 p.m. on August 1st in the election year in which the petitions are to be used.  
[PL 2013, c. 131, §13 (AMD).]
9.  Petition validity.  For a candidate to qualify for the ballot, a nomination petition must meet all of the requirements of this section. If the circulator swears an oath or affirmation in accordance with subsection 7, paragraph A that the circulator reasonably believes to be true and accurate at the time the oath or affirmation is sworn and there is no proof of fraud or a knowingly false statement by the circulator, then the voters' signatures that do not meet the requirements of subsection 7, paragraph A may not be counted, but the petition is otherwise valid.  
[PL 2009, c. 253, §21 (RPR).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW). PL 1985, c. 383, §§7,8 (AMD). PL 1985, c. 614, §§14,15 (AMD). PL 1991, c. 362, §§2,3 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 459, §§26-28 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 436, §50 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 264, §§1,2 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 447, §12 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 196, §5 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 453, §§49,50 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 455, §14 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 253, §§ 20, 21 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 131, §§12, 13 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 371, §11 (AMD). RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §46 (COR). PL 2021, c. 273, §6 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 389, §3 (AMD).
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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 20 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1990–2023 · leading case: Knutson v. Dep't of Sec'y of State, 2008 ME 124 (Me. 2008).
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Knutson v. Dep't of Sec'y of State, 2008 ME 124 (Me. 2008). · cites it 42× “[¶17] The Secretary has previously construed 21-A M.R.S. § 354 (2007) in the context of a 2004 petition dispute regarding a circulator's erroneous oath.”
Maine Taxpayers Action Network v. Sec'y of State, 2002 ME 64 (Me. 2002). · cites it 10× “3, § 20, and 21-A M.R.S.A. §§ 354(3), (4), (7), [3] 902 (1993 & Supp.”
Hammer v. Sec'y of State, 2010 ME 109 (Me. 2010). · cites it 24× “) affirming a decision of the Secretary of State denying Hammer gubernatorial ballot access based on his failure to obtain a sufficient number of certified signatures pursuant to 21-A M.R.S. § 354 (2009). Hammer challenges the Secretary of State's interpretation of section 354…”
Dobson v. Dunlap, 576 F. Supp. 2d 181 (D. Me. 2008). · cites it 11× “§ 354 by which certified petitions must be returned by municipal election officials to candidates places an undue burden on independent candidates, because it creates the possibility that municipal election officials will fail to certify and return all submitted petitions in…”
Ralph Nader v. Maine Democratic Party, 2013 ME 51 (Me. 2013). · cites it 6× “Title 21-A M.R.S.A. § 354(1) has since been amended in ways not relevant to this appeal.”
Libertarian Party of Maine v. Dunlap, 659 F. Supp. 2d 215 (D. Me. 2009). · cites it 5× “21-A M.R.S.A. § 354(5). Maine law further mandates that the signatures for presidential elector must be presented for certification to the municipal registrars by August 8, 2008, and that the certified petitions must be filed with the Secretary of State by August 15, 2008.”
Hoffman v. Sec'y of State of Maine, 574 F. Supp. 2d 179 (D. Me. 2008). · cites it 3× “21-A M.R.S.A. § 354(5)(C). After collecting the required signatures, Hoffman and forty to forty-five of his supporters swore oaths as petition circulators.”
Melanson v. Sec'y of State, 2004 ME 127 (Me. 2004). · cites it 2× “” 21-A M.R.S.A. § 354(1) (Supp.2003). [¶ 10] In carrying out the mandate of title 21-A, “[t]he Secretary of State may establish the form and content of all forms, lists, documents and records required by or necessary to the efficient operation of this Title.”
Dobson v. Dep't of the Sec'y of State, 2008 ME 137 (Me. 2008). · cites it 2× “) affirming the decision of the Secretary of State refusing to accept petitions for her candidacy for United States Senator filed beyond the statutory deadline, see 21-A M.R.S. § 354(8-A) (2007), 1 and denying her request for a hearing to contest the decisions of local election…”
Libertarian Party of Maines. v. G. William Diamond, Etc., (Two Cases), 992 F.2d 365 (1st Cir. 1993). “Although a "nomination petition” requires twice the number of signatures a party candidate would be required to obtain on a primary petition, see 21-A M.R.S.A. § 354(5), these signatures may be obtained from any registered voter, even voters enrolled in other parties.”
Libertarian Party v. Diamond, 799 F. Supp. 1 (D. Me. 1992). · cites it 3× “Me.Rev.Stat.Ann. tit. 21-A, § 354(2) (West Supp.”
Cromer v. South Carolina, 917 F.2d 819 (4th Cir. 1990). “1990); Me. Rev.Stat.Ann. tit. 21-A, § 354(8-A) (Supp.”
Show all 20 citing cases →
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 354(1) — 2 cases
Ralph Nader v. Maine Democratic Party, 2013 ME 51 (Me. 2013). “Title 21-A M.R.S.A. § 354(1) has since been amended in ways not relevant to this appeal.”
Melanson v. Sec'y of State, 2004 ME 127 (Me. 2004). “” 21-A M.R.S.A. § 354(1) (Supp.2003). [¶ 10] In carrying out the mandate of title 21-A, “[t]he Secretary of State may establish the form and content of all forms, lists, documents and records required by or necessary to the efficient operation of this Title.”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 354(2) — 1 case
Libertarian Party v. Diamond, 799 F. Supp. 1 (D. Me. 1992). “Me.Rev.Stat.Ann. tit. 21-A, § 354(2) (West Supp.”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 354(3) — 3 cases
Maine Taxpayers Action Network v. Sec'y of State, 2002 ME 64 (Me. 2002). “3, § 20, and 21-A M.R.S.A. §§ 354(3), (4), (7), [3] 902 (1993 & Supp.”
Bond v. Dunlap (D. Me. 2020).
Ripley Rd. Assocs., LLC v. Town of Kittery (Me. Super. Ct 2001).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 354(4) — 1 case
Ripley Rd. Assocs., LLC v. Town of Kittery (Me. Super. Ct 2001).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 354(5) — 4 cases
Libertarian Party of Maines. v. G. William Diamond, Etc., (Two Cases), 992 F.2d 365 (1st Cir. 1993). “Although a "nomination petition” requires twice the number of signatures a party candidate would be required to obtain on a primary petition, see 21-A M.R.S.A. § 354(5), these signatures may be obtained from any registered voter, even voters enrolled in other parties.”
Libertarian Party of Maine v. Dunlap, 659 F. Supp. 2d 215 (D. Me. 2009). “21-A M.R.S.A. § 354(5). Maine law further mandates that the signatures for presidential elector must be presented for certification to the municipal registrars by August 8, 2008, and that the certified petitions must be filed with the Secretary of State by August 15, 2008.”
Libertarian Party v. Diamond, 799 F. Supp. 1 (D. Me. 1992). “Me.Rev.Stat.Ann. tit. 21-A, § 354(2) (West Supp.”
Baines v. Bellows (D. Me. 2021).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 354(5)(A) — 2 cases
Hammer v. Sec'y of State, 2010 ME 109 (Me. 2010). “) affirming a decision of the Secretary of State denying Hammer gubernatorial ballot access based on his failure to obtain a sufficient number of certified signatures pursuant to 21-A M.R.S. § 354 (2009). Hammer challenges the Secretary of State's interpretation of section 354…”
Hammer v. Off. of the Maine Sec'y of State (Me. Super. Ct 2010).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 354(5)(C) — 6 cases
Knutson v. Dep't of Sec'y of State, 2008 ME 124 (Me. 2008). “[¶17] The Secretary has previously construed 21-A M.R.S. § 354 (2007) in the context of a 2004 petition dispute regarding a circulator's erroneous oath.”
Dobson v. Dunlap, 576 F. Supp. 2d 181 (D. Me. 2008). “§ 354 by which certified petitions must be returned by municipal election officials to candidates places an undue burden on independent candidates, because it creates the possibility that municipal election officials will fail to certify and return all submitted petitions in…”
Hammer v. Sec'y of State, 2010 ME 109 (Me. 2010). “) affirming a decision of the Secretary of State denying Hammer gubernatorial ballot access based on his failure to obtain a sufficient number of certified signatures pursuant to 21-A M.R.S. § 354 (2009). Hammer challenges the Secretary of State's interpretation of section 354…”
Hoffman v. Sec'y of State of Maine, 574 F. Supp. 2d 179 (D. Me. 2008). “21-A M.R.S.A. § 354(5)(C). After collecting the required signatures, Hoffman and forty to forty-five of his supporters swore oaths as petition circulators.”
Bond v. Dunlap (D. Me. 2020).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 354(6) — 2 cases
Dobson v. Dunlap, 576 F. Supp. 2d 181 (D. Me. 2008). “§ 354 by which certified petitions must be returned by municipal election officials to candidates places an undue burden on independent candidates, because it creates the possibility that municipal election officials will fail to certify and return all submitted petitions in…”
Libertarian Party of Maine v. Dunlap, 659 F. Supp. 2d 215 (D. Me. 2009). “21-A M.R.S.A. § 354(5). Maine law further mandates that the signatures for presidential elector must be presented for certification to the municipal registrars by August 8, 2008, and that the certified petitions must be filed with the Secretary of State by August 15, 2008.”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 354(7) — 1 case
Maine Taxpayers Action Network v. Sec'y of State, 2002 ME 64 (Me. 2002). “3, § 20, and 21-A M.R.S.A. §§ 354(3), (4), (7), [3] 902 (1993 & Supp.”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 354(7)(8) — 1 case
Hammer v. Off. of the Maine Sec'y of State (Me. Super. Ct 2010).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 354(7)(A) — 8 cases
Knutson v. Dep't of Sec'y of State, 2008 ME 124 (Me. 2008). “[¶17] The Secretary has previously construed 21-A M.R.S. § 354 (2007) in the context of a 2004 petition dispute regarding a circulator's erroneous oath.”
Ralph Nader v. Maine Democratic Party, 2013 ME 51 (Me. 2013). “Title 21-A M.R.S.A. § 354(1) has since been amended in ways not relevant to this appeal.”
Maine Taxpayers Action Network v. Sec'y of State, 2002 ME 64 (Me. 2002). “3, § 20, and 21-A M.R.S.A. §§ 354(3), (4), (7), [3] 902 (1993 & Supp.”
Dobson v. Dunlap, 576 F. Supp. 2d 181 (D. Me. 2008). “§ 354 by which certified petitions must be returned by municipal election officials to candidates places an undue burden on independent candidates, because it creates the possibility that municipal election officials will fail to certify and return all submitted petitions in…”
Hoffman v. Sec'y of State of Maine, 574 F. Supp. 2d 179 (D. Me. 2008). “21-A M.R.S.A. § 354(5)(C). After collecting the required signatures, Hoffman and forty to forty-five of his supporters swore oaths as petition circulators.”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 354(7)(B) — 5 cases
Dobson v. Dunlap, 576 F. Supp. 2d 181 (D. Me. 2008). “§ 354 by which certified petitions must be returned by municipal election officials to candidates places an undue burden on independent candidates, because it creates the possibility that municipal election officials will fail to certify and return all submitted petitions in…”
Hammer v. Sec'y of State, 2010 ME 109 (Me. 2010). “) affirming a decision of the Secretary of State denying Hammer gubernatorial ballot access based on his failure to obtain a sufficient number of certified signatures pursuant to 21-A M.R.S. § 354 (2009). Hammer challenges the Secretary of State's interpretation of section 354…”
Libertarian Party of Maine v. Dunlap, 659 F. Supp. 2d 215 (D. Me. 2009). “21-A M.R.S.A. § 354(5). Maine law further mandates that the signatures for presidential elector must be presented for certification to the municipal registrars by August 8, 2008, and that the certified petitions must be filed with the Secretary of State by August 15, 2008.”
Christie v. Bellows (Me. Super. Ct 2023).
Bond v. Dunlap (D. Me. 2020).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 354(7)(C) — 6 cases
Maine Taxpayers Action Network v. Sec'y of State, 2002 ME 64 (Me. 2002). “3, § 20, and 21-A M.R.S.A. §§ 354(3), (4), (7), [3] 902 (1993 & Supp.”
Dobson v. Dunlap, 576 F. Supp. 2d 181 (D. Me. 2008). “§ 354 by which certified petitions must be returned by municipal election officials to candidates places an undue burden on independent candidates, because it creates the possibility that municipal election officials will fail to certify and return all submitted petitions in…”
Hammer v. Sec'y of State, 2010 ME 109 (Me. 2010). “) affirming a decision of the Secretary of State denying Hammer gubernatorial ballot access based on his failure to obtain a sufficient number of certified signatures pursuant to 21-A M.R.S. § 354 (2009). Hammer challenges the Secretary of State's interpretation of section 354…”
Christie v. Bellows (Me. Super. Ct 2023).
Bond v. Dunlap (D. Me. 2020).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 354(9) — 4 cases
Knutson v. Dep't of Sec'y of State, 2008 ME 124 (Me. 2008). “[¶17] The Secretary has previously construed 21-A M.R.S. § 354 (2007) in the context of a 2004 petition dispute regarding a circulator's erroneous oath.”
Ralph Nader v. Maine Democratic Party, 2013 ME 51 (Me. 2013). “Title 21-A M.R.S.A. § 354(1) has since been amended in ways not relevant to this appeal.”
Hoffman v. Sec'y of State of Maine, 574 F. Supp. 2d 179 (D. Me. 2008). “21-A M.R.S.A. § 354(5)(C). After collecting the required signatures, Hoffman and forty to forty-five of his supporters swore oaths as petition circulators.”
Knutson v. Dep't of the Sec'y of State (Me. Super. Ct 2008).
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