News

Maine High Court Upholds Wording of Voter ID Ballot Question

Maine High Court Upholds Wording of Voter ID Ballot Question

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


The Maine Supreme Judicial Court is upholding a lower court decision allowing the wording of a ballot question about voter ID to remain in place.

Backers of the photo voter ID requirement claimed Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ proposed wording was confusing and misleading to voters.

The question’s wording includes proposed restrictions on absentee voting, which is part of the ballot initiative, as well as the voter ID requirement.

It reads, “Do you want to change Maine election laws to eliminate two days of absentee voting, prohibit requests for absentee ballots by phone or family members, end ongoing absentee voter status for seniors and people with disabilities, ban prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes, limit the number of drop boxes, require voters to show certain photo ID before voting and make other changes to our elections?”

The Supreme Judicial Court is backing a a superior court decision to allow the wording, saying Secretary Bellows question “is understandable to a reasonable voter reading the question for the first time and will not mislead a reasonable voter who understands the proposed legislation into voting contrary to that voter’s wishes.”

The measure will be on November’s ballot in Maine.

Latest Headlines

17 hours ago in Local

Otisfield man charged with making bomb threat toward elementary school

A man from Otisfield is accused of making a bomb threat directed at a local elementary school.

17 hours ago in Local

Central Maine Power’s rate change request met with criticism from public advocate

Central Maine Power is again requesting a rate change after its previous request was turned down by regulators.

2 days ago in Local

Waldoboro Police Looking for Missing Man

Officers first announced the man was missing last Friday.

2 days ago in Local

New Scam Targets Mainers With QR Code for Payments

The message included a QR code with payment instructions and a list of violations.

2 days ago in Local

Bates College Lifts Shelter-In-Place as Lewiston Police Search for Armed Man

Students at Bates College in Lewiston were told to shelter-in-place Thursday afternoon due to reports of a man with a gun.