§501. Wardens and ward clerks
295 words·~1 min read·
/me/title-21-a-elections/chapter-7-election-officials/501·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
1. In a city. In a city, the selection, term of office, compensation and partial duties of wardens and ward clerks are determined by the city charter. Additional duties are prescribed by this Title.
[PL 1987, c. 188, §4 (AMD).]
2. In a town. In a town, with the approval of the municipal officers, the clerk of the municipality shall appoint a warden and may appoint one or more deputy wardens to assist in the duties on election day. If the clerk appoints another person as warden, the clerk may serve as deputy warden. It does not constitute an incompatibility of office for the clerk to serve as warden or deputy warden. The warden and deputy warden are entitled to a reasonable compensation as determined by the municipal officers.
[PL 1995, c. 459, §32 (AMD).]
3. Provisions applicable to both towns and cities. A warden, ward clerk or any deputy warden may not be an officer of a municipal committee of a political party. Ward clerks or deputy wardens shall perform the duties of the warden when necessary and may not replace election clerks prescribed by this Title. The warden, ward clerk and deputy wardens must be registered voters of the municipality, except when a nonresident clerk is acting as either warden, ward clerk or deputy warden.
When there is a vacancy in the office of warden, ward clerk or deputy warden, a person who is a resident of the county may serve as a replacement on a per election basis until the end of the vacated term. Before assuming the duties of office, the warden is sworn by the municipal clerk, and the ward clerk or deputy warden is sworn by the municipal clerk or by the warden.
[PL 2009, c. 538, §6 (AMD).]