PENOBSCOT COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE SPECIAL CAUCUS
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Bangor Public Library, Lecture Hall (2nd Floor)
145 Harlow Street
6:30 p.m.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this special caucus will be to hold an election to fill a vacancy that currently exists: County Commissioner, Penobscot County (District 3.) This vacancy exists as the result of former Commissioner, Steve Stanley’s resignation subsequent to his recently being elected (Nov.6, 2012) to serve as a member of the Maine House of Representatives. The names of the individuals selected, as a result of this election, will be submitted to Governor LePage for his approval.
The Penobscot County Democratic Committee approved these rules and procedures on December 8, 2012 by a vote of those attending.
ELECTION RULES AND PROCEDURES
• Any currently registered member of the Maine Democratic Party who resides in one of the municipalities or territories within District 3 of Penobscot County [listed below] is eligible to be nominated and vote to fill the position of County Commissioner.
• ALL caucus attendees who wish to vote in this election MUST REGISTER with the caucus clerk(s) PRIOR to the caucus and be APPROVED as an “eligible voter” [currently registered Democratic voter in District 3, Penobscot County].
• ALL members of the Penobscot County Democratic Committee are invited to participate in this Caucus, but ONLY those members who reside in District 3, Penobscot County, present will be eligible to make nominations and to vote in this election. [Approved by Penobscot County Democratic Committee, December 8, 2012.]
• Registrations will close at 7:00 p.m. No-one will be allowed to register after 7:00 p.m.
• Nominations will be entertained from the floor. Self-nominations will be allowed. No limit exists re: the number of individuals who can be nominated.
• Each nominee will be given the opportunity to introduce herself/himself and to provide a concise statement re: her/his qualifications for this office and why she or he would like to hold this office [2-minute limit].
• All voting will be conducted by secret paper ballot. Each eligible voter will be allowed to vote for no more than three (3) nominees [not ranked]. The three nominees who receive the most total votes on all ballots submitted will be declared as the “winners.” The ballots will be counted and recorded by the County Chair and two other PCDC members appointed by the Chair. Any nominee who so wishes is welcome to choose a representative to be present during the counting of votes. [Approved by Penobscot County Democratic Committee, December 8, 2012.]
• At the conclusion of ballot counting, the Chair will announce the results.
• The names of three (3) individuals who received the largest number of total votes [not rank ordered] will be submitted to the Governor for his approval. [approved by Penobscot County Democratic Committee, December 8, 2012.]
• The PCDC Chair will submit the results of this election to fill the current vacancy that exists for County Commissioner, Penobscot County (District 3) to Governor LePage within seven (7) calendar days subsequent to this election.
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# Maine State Statute Regarding This Election
Title 30-A: MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES HEADING: PL 1987, C. 737, PT. A, §2 (NEW)
Part 1: COUNTIES HEADING: PL 1987, C. 737, PT. A, §2 (NEW)
Chapter 1: COUNTY OFFICERS HEADING: PL 1987, C. 737, PT. A, §2 (NEW)
Subchapter 2: COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HEADING: PL 1987, C. 737, PT. A, §2 (NEW)
Article 2: ELECTION AND TENURE HEADING: PL 1987, C. 737, PT. A, §2 (NEW)
§63. Vacancies during other times
When no choice is effected or a vacancy happens in the office of county commissioner by death, resignation, removal from the county, permanent incapacity or for any other reason, the Governor shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy. That person shall hold office until the first day of January following the next biennial election at which a person is elected to fill the office. [1995, c. 683, §4 (AMD).]
In the case of a vacancy in the term of a commissioner who was nominated by primary election before the general election, the commissioner appointed by the Governor must be enrolled in the same political party as the commissioner whose term is vacant. In making the appointment, the Governor shall choose from any recommendations submitted by the county committee of the political party from which the appointment is to be made. [1995, c. 245, §3 (AMD).]
The municipalities and territories within District 3 include:
Alton, Bradley, Burlington, Carroll Plantation, Chester, Drew Plantation, East Millinocket, Edinburg, Enfield, Greenbush, Howland, Lagrange, Lakeville, Lee, Lincoln, Lowell, Mattawamkeag, Maxfield, Medway, Milford, Millinocket, Mount Chase, Old Town, Orono, Passadumkeag, Patten, Penobscot Indian Island Reservation, Seboeis Plantation, Springfield, Stacyville, Webster Plantation, Winn and Woodville and the unorganized territories of Argyle, East Central Penobscot, Kingman, North Penobscot, Prentiss and Twombly.
Paul P. Davis, Chair, PCDC
To download these rules and procedures please click here: Rules and Procedures
