At a time when many states are adopting measures that make it harder for people to vote, Maine stands for the other extreme. It is the easiest state in the country for someone to cast a ballot. In Maine, just about every resident who is 18 or older gets to vote — and, since the […]
Matthew Dunlap
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Backers of ranked-choice voting to fight delay with people's veto
AUGUSTA — Maine residents could be ranking the candidates for governor and Congress when they vote in the June primaries even though the Legislature passed a bill Monday to delay a ranked-choice voting system. Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap said Tuesday that supporters of ranked-choice voting could block the bill to delay and repeal […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Dunlap avoids political spat over wording of Medicaid ballot question
AUGUSTA — Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap dodged a political dust-up Thursday about the wording of a referendum on whether to expand Medicaid in Maine. The proposed wording of the question initially referred to Medicaid as “health insurance,” a description that raised ire among conservatives who insisted it is more fair to call it welfare […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine refuses to hand over voter data to federal commission
AUGUSTA — The state won’t comply with a request to hand over voter registration information to President Donald Trump’s Advisory Commission on Election Integrity. Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap and Attorney General Janet Mills determined Monday that the state couldn’t provide the data without violating its own laws protecting voter privacy. “Maine citizens can be […]
Posted inMaine
Maine Democrat secretary of state to take part in Trump’s voter fraud probe
AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap said Thursday he has been asked to serve on an election fraud commission that is being spearheaded by President Donald Trump. The purpose of the Presidential Commission on Election Integrity, which will be chaired by Vice President Mike Pence, is to investigate Trump’s belief that there […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
No surprises as Legislature elects Maine’s constitutional officers
AUGUSTA — Members of the new 128th Legislature re-elected all four of Maine’s constitutional officers Wednesday in secret-ballot elections at the State House. Treasurer Terry Hayes, Attorney General Janet Mills, Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap and State Auditor Pola Buckley were all returned to office. None of those elections came as a surprise. The political […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Secretary of State will review marijuana signatures again
AUGUSTA — Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap won’t appeal a judge’s ruling overturning his decision to invalidate a marijuana legalization referendum, potentially clearing it for the November ballot. His office will now review thousands of signatures that it threw out in March, and a top proponent said “we’re confident that we collected far more valid […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Oxford Hills
Selectmen adopt employee background check policy
WEST PARIS — Selectmen adopted an official employment policy Thursday for procedures on conducting background checks for potential employees. Town Manager John White told selectmen that while processing applications for firefighters, the Fire Department asked the town to conduct criminal background and motor vehicle checks on the potential employees. Though the town had done this […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Matthew Dunlap: Give serious throught to becoming an organ donor
I don’t remember how I first became aware of organ donation. My dim recollection seems to tell me my awareness began with a program at my high school. I do remember signing up to be an organ donor the first time I had a chance — which happened to be when I needed to go […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
State may ask Greenwood to resign from county or state office
AUBURN — Randall Greenwood may have to decide between elected positions. For six years, Greenwood has served as chairman of the Androscoggin County Commission, and he has two years left on his term. But Greenwood last week earned a seat in the Maine Legislature, winning the contest to represent Wales, Monmouth and Litchfield in Augusta. […]