§302. Formation of new party; organization about a candidate

A party whose designation was not listed on the general election ballot in the last preceding general election qualifies to participate in a primary election, if it meets the requirements of subsections 1 and 2.   [PL 1999, c. 450, §2 (AMD).]

1.  Declaration of intent.  A voter or a group of voters not enrolled in a party qualified under section 301 must file a declaration of intent to form a party with the Secretary of State before 5 p.m. on the 180th day preceding the next primary election. The declaration of intent must be on a form designed by the Secretary of State and must include:

A. The designation of the proposed party;   [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

B. The name of a candidate for Governor or for President in the last preceding general election who was nominated by petition under subchapter II and who received 5% or more of the total vote cast in the State for Governor or for President in that election;   [PL 1999, c. 450, §3 (AMD).]

C. The signed consent of that candidate; and   [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

D. The name, address, telephone number, if published, and signature of the voter or one of the group of voters who files the declaration of intent.   [PL 1997, c. 436, §42 (AMD).]

[PL 1999, c. 450, §3 (AMD).]

2.  Enrollment of voters.  After filing the declaration described in subsection 1, the voter or voters proposing to form the party may then enroll voters in the proposed party under sections 141 to 145.

[PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]

3.  Municipal caucuses.  A party that has qualified under subsections 1 and 2 to participate in a primary election must conduct municipal caucuses in at least one municipality in each of the 16 counties during that election year as prescribed in Article II. The chair of the municipal committee or a resident voter in the municipality must file a copy of the notice required by section 311, subsection 3 with the Secretary of State before 5 p.m. on March 20th.

[PL 1999, c. 450, §4 (AMD).]

4.  Convention.  A party that has qualified under subsections 1 and 2 to participate in a primary election must in that same year conduct the municipal caucuses under subsection 3 and hold a state convention as prescribed by Article III in order to have the party designation of its candidates printed on the ballot in the general election of that year. The voter or group of voters who files the declaration of intent may perform the duties of the state committee under section 321, subsection 1 for the party's initial convention.

[PL 1999, c. 450, §5 (AMD).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW). PL 1997, c. 436, §§42,43 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 450, §§2-5 (AMD).