State rep faces electioneering charge

State Rep. Nina Milliken

By Tricia Thomas

BLUE HILL—State Representative Nina A. Milliken (D-Blue Hill) has been charged with a misdemeanor offense after allegedly electioneering inside town hall during municipal elections last April.

According to a complaint filed by Hancock County Sheriff’s Department investigator Rick Canarr and a criminal summons issued by Maine District Court on September 5, Milliken is charged with one count of attempting “to influence another person’s decision” within 250 feet of a polling place during municipal elections on April 4.

If found guilty of the Class-E charge, Milliken, a Blue Hill resident, could face a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail.  

The state’s case will be prosecuted by Knox County District Attorney Natasha C. Irving, as Hancock County D.A. Bob Granger has reportedly recused himself due to a conflict of interest.

A representative of the sheriff’s department referred questions about the case to the Hancock County District Attorney.  Neither Granger nor Irving were available to comment.

State statute 682, under which Milliken is being charged, outlines political activities that are either allowed or banned at polling places on election day. Under state law, “a person may not instruct another in the method of marking the ballot.” In addition, within 250 feet of the entrance to the voting place, a person may not “influence another person’s decision regarding a candidate or ballot issue; or attempt to influence another person's decision regarding a candidate or ballot issue.”

State law also stipulates that these rules “do not prohibit a candidate from attending the voting place and orally communicating with voters as long as the candidate does not attempt to influence their vote. A candidate may not state the name of the office sought or request a person’s vote.”

Reached by phone, Milliken, now in her second legislative term, declined comment.

A Blue Hill resident, Milliken serves the towns of Blue Hill, Brooksville, Castine, Sedgwick, Surry and Trenton.  She also serves on the state house’s Criminal Justice, Public Safety and House Elections committees. Her arraignment is scheduled for October 7.