Bikers seek recount of seat belt referendum

AUGUSTA — The only organized group to oppose the mandatory seat belt proposal that Maine voters unofficially approved on Election Day asked for a recount Thursday.

Leaders of United Bikers of Maine Inc. turned in more than the required number of voters’ signatures to state election officials, making the request formal.

“The issue was so hotly debated and so close that we owe it to our membership … to follow this through to the end,” said UBM President Joe Savoy.

But Secretary of State Bill Diamond said the recount probably will not reverse the Nov. 7 results and will cost taxpayers about $40,000 to be carried out. Diamond, the state’s top election official, said he was reviewing UBM’s petition.

According to unofficial tallies, the margin was 0.7 percent, or only 2,700 votes out of 414,000 votes cast, said Diamond.

“To change the election outcome, you have to find not only 2,700 improperly counted ballots, but 2,700 improper ballots that all help the losing side,” said Diamond.

Experience also shows that statewide elections are very difficult to turn around, even if they are very close, according to Diamond. In 1970, a recount failed to reverse Kenneth M. Curtis’ gubernatorial election victory, even though he won by only a 0.02 percent margin, or 890 of the 325,000 votes cast.

A recount also failed to reverse a 1,306 vote margin in a 1966 referendum to allow Sunday liquor sales, said the secretary.

Recounts are automatic in races for elective offices if the tallies are within a certain margin, but the rule does not apply in referen- dums.

The seat belt tally was so close that UBM will not have to pay a sliding scale fee for requesting the recount, said Diamond. Fees are based on the size of margins.

The secretary based his estimate of the seat belt recount cost on earlier costs of statewide recounts.

Maine voters on Nov. 7 approved a law requiring all motorists — including people over 18, who previously were exempted — to buckle up or face fines. The Legislature had voted to send the proposal to referendum.

UBM, which is organized in all 16 Maine counties and describes itself as a charitable nonprofit group, usually advocates strictly on motorcycle issues like mandatory helmets and safety courses for learners.

The group believes seat belt and helmet use should be a matter of choice for adults.

But Savoy said UMB leaders decided to become involved in the seat belt question when they discovered there would be no organized group to oppose it.

“We just felt somebody had to stand up and oppose this,” Savoy told reporters at a State House news conference.