(The Center Square) — Backers of a Maine proposal to require photo identification to vote in elections have filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, alleging that the Democrat used “misleading” language for the ballot question.
The lawsuit, filed in state Superior Court Monday, alleges that the wording of the ballot question, released by Bellows on May 5, “fails to meet the constitutional and statutory standards of clarity, accuracy, and impartiality” and mischaracterizes the initiative’s provisions to suggest that it targets Maine voters who are elderly or have disabilities.
The legal challenge also argues that the secretary used “vague and confusing” language and “legal jargon” that didn’t appear in the original proposal.
Furthermore, the wording of the question “departs from historical precedent by being the longest ballot question in Maine’s history — more than 30% longer than the text of past initiatives,” the plaintiffs allege.
“Maine voters deserve a clear, honest question — not a partisan editorial from an official who’s already made her opposition clear in the press and in legislative testimony,” said Alex Titcomb, lead petitioner and campaign manager for Voter ID for ME, said in a statement.
Bellows’ office certified the voter ID ballot question in February after organizers submitted more than 171,000 signatures from voters to qualify for the ballot.
If approved by voters in the November elections, the proposal would require Mainers to present a valid state ID or driver’s license to vote or request an absentee ballot for federal, state and local elections. Acceptable forms of ID would include a Maine driver’s license or identification card, a U.S. passport or passport card or U.S. military identification.
Maine Republicans have pushed for years to require voter ID, citing state and national polls showing bipartisan support for the requirements. But Democrats who control the governor’s office and state Legislature have repeatedly rejected the proposals, arguing that it will disenfranchise voters and create barriers to participating in federal, state and local elections.
Bellows, a Democrat, previously described the proposal as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” because it includes provisions she claimed will restrict voting access, and has likened the voter ID effort to white supremacy, according to the plaintiffs. They argue that Bellows has an “entrenched bias that influenced her official decision-making — undermining her duty to act impartially under Maine law.”
“When government officials use their power to mislead the public about a citizen initiative, it’s not just dishonest — it’s undemocratic,” said state Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, one of the lead organizers of the effort.
At least 36 states require voters to present some form of identification before voting, but only nine of those states have strict photo ID requirements, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Under Maine law, the court must rule on the lawsuit within 40 days of the Secretary of State’s May 5 decision to certify the ballot question’s wording, according to organizers.
