Legislature Passes Bill Restricting Video Cameras at Polls

A bill that aims to make it harder to use video cameras to intimidate voters is on its way to the desk of Gov. Paul LePage.

The Maine Senate on Tuesday voted unanimously to enact the bill, which the House approved last week. The bill would establish a 15-foot minimum distance between video recorders and voters.

Voters last November raised concerns when activists pointed their cameras at them as they signed citizen initiative petitions. The activists focused on people signing two petitions, one that would ask voters whether to raise the minimum wage and another to ask voters whether to expand background checks for gun purchases.

The governor has 10 days to sign the bill into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature.