ROCKLAND, Maine — The Maine House seat being vacated by Democratic Rep. Elizabeth Dickerson could be left unfilled for a few months.
Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap said Monday that once Dickerson submits a signed, written resignation letter to his agency, the communities can ask the governor to declare a special election. No such letter had been received as of Tuesday afternoon.
Holding a special election for a House seat is relatively simple, he said. It typically takes 45 to 90 days to get ballots prepared for such an election to be held. It takes that long to nominate candidates, prepare ballots and allow for absentee votes.
The political parties will be able to hold caucuses in the district after posting public notices. Unlike a regular election, candidates would not need to take out nomination papers and instead would be nominated at these caucuses.
If an election were held in 90 days, the new legislator would not take office until mid-April. The Legislature is in session this year through June 17.
Dickerson was elected to a second term in November and sworn into office on Dec. 3. Dickerson was appointed last month to the state and local government committee. She announced Sunday she would resign this week for career and personal reasons. She has moved to Colorado.