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Bill to Limit Use of Video Cameras at Polls Wins Support

AUGUSTA, Maine - A bill that would make it harder to use video cameras to intimidate voters is winning bipartisan support from Maine lawmakers.

The Legislature's Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee on Friday voted 11-0 to endorse the bill, which would establish a 15-foot minimum distance between video recorders and voters at the polls. It would also require video recorders to be at least 15 feet away from people collecting signatures.

On Election Day last November, some voters said they felt intimidated when political activists pointed their cameras at them as they signed citizen initiative petitions. Those activists focused on people signing two petitions, one that would raise minimum wage and another to expand background checks for gun purchases.