{"id":2434148,"date":"2025-05-13T14:11:02","date_gmt":"2025-05-13T18:11:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/suit-maine-elections-chief-drafted-misleading-voter-id-initiative\/"},"modified":"2025-05-13T14:13:48","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T18:13:48","slug":"suit-maine-elections-chief-drafted-misleading-voter-id-initiative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/suit-maine-elections-chief-drafted-misleading-voter-id-initiative\/","title":{"rendered":"Suit: Maine Elections Chief Drafted &#8216;Misleading&#8217; Voter ID Initiative"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fsuit-maine-elections-chief-drafted-misleading-voter-id-initiative%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2434148&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A lawsuit has been filed against Maine&#8217;s Democratic Secretary of State, shenna Bellows, alleging that she used &#8220;misleading&#8221; language in drafting a ballot summary for a voter ID initiative set for the November ballot. The legal challenge, brought by a coalition of Maine citizens, asserts that Bellows&#8217; description is complicated and confusing, misrepresenting the voter ID measure aimed at requiring photo identification for voting and changing various voting procedures. The complaints highlight that the language of the ballot question unfairly targets seniors and people with disabilities and lacks clarity. Plaintiffs have requested the Cumberland County Superior Court to invalidate Bellows&#8217; proposed wording and mandate a revision that more accurately reflects the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/capitol-police-arrest-mennonite-protesters-demanding-ceasefire-in-gaza\/\" title=\"Mennonite protesters demanding Gaza ceasefire arrested by Capitol police\">citizen-led initiative<\/a>. The case underscores ongoing disagreements over voter ID laws and the presentation of ballot measures in Maine.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Maine&rsquo;s Democrat elections chief used &ldquo;misleading&rdquo; language to describe a voter ID initiative that is set to appear on the state&rsquo;s November ballot, a lawsuit filed on Monday alleges.<\/p>\n<p>Brought by a coalition of Maine citizens, the legal challenge contends that Secretary of State <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/shenna-bellows\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shenna Bellows<\/a> crafted a &ldquo;misleading, complicated, and confusing&rdquo; ballot question intended to summarize provisions in the citizen-led voter ID measure to be considered by voters later this year. Bellows is known for her <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2024\/03\/04\/unanimous-scotus-smacks-down-colorado-lawfare-states-have-no-power-to-kick-trump-off-ballot\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">seemingly unlawful<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2024\/01\/03\/trump-appeals-ruling-to-keep-him-off-maine-ballot-by-dem-who-was-disappointed-he-wasnt-impeached\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">attempt<\/a> to unilaterally <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mainepublic.org\/politics\/2024-03-04\/bid-to-keep-trump-off-maines-primary-ballot-stalls-after-supreme-court-overturns-colorado-decision\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">remove<\/a> Donald Trump from the Pine Tree State&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rfk-jr-is-keeping-all-my-options-open-hints-of-potential-run-as-an-independent\/\" title=\"RFK Jr. considers all options, hints at potential independent run.\">2024 presidential primary ballot<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Spearheaded by the Voter ID for ME campaign, the referenced voter ID initiative garnered enough signatures earlier this year to qualify for ballot access. In addition to requiring photo identification for in-person and absentee voting, the measure also seeks to limit the number of ballot drop boxes to one per locality, mandate that voters complete a written application to receive a mail ballot, implement requirements for individuals who help a voter request an absentee ballot, and move up the deadline to request an absentee ballot before an election, as previously <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2025\/02\/27\/meet-the-grassroots-group-fighting-to-bring-voter-id-to-maine-elections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reported<\/a> by The Federalist.<\/p>\n<p><strong>[READ:[READ:<a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2025\/02\/27\/meet-the-grassroots-group-fighting-to-bring-voter-id-to-maine-elections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Meet The Grassroots Group Fighting To Bring Voter ID To Maine Elections<\/a>]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/me\/maine-constitution\/me-const-art-iv-pt-3-sect-18\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Maine Constitution<\/a>, petition-led initiatives are first considered by the state legislature, which has the ability to either pass the measure into law or send it to voters for approval. <\/p>\n<p>The Democrat-controlled legislature&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/sos\/news\/secretary-state-issues-final-wording-referendum-question\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">decision<\/a> to adjourn this year&rsquo;s session without approving the voter ID initiative prompted Bellows to draft summary language for the measure. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/sos\/news\/secretary-state-issues-final-wording-referendum-question\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ballot question<\/a> &mdash; which was finalized last week following a 30-day public comment period &mdash; reads as follows:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>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, <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >end ongoing absentee voter status<\/a> for seniors and people with disabilities, ban prepaid postage on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/infographic-the-states-that-changed-mail-in-voting-rules-for-2022\/\" title=\"INFOGRAPHIC: The ...s That Changed Mail-In ... Rules for 2022\">absentee ballot return envelopes<\/a>, limit the number of drop boxes, require voters to show certain photo ID before voting, and make other changes to our elections?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In their Monday complaint, petitioners highlighted numerous areas of Bellows&rsquo; summary that they claim violate Maine law.<\/p>\n<p>The state residents argue that the secretary&rsquo;s question &ldquo;misrepresents provisions that would apply to all voters as targeting &lsquo;seniors and people with disabilities.&rsquo;&rdquo; They further contend that the summary &ldquo;is not &lsquo;simple, clear, concise, and direct&rsquo;&rdquo; and buries &ldquo;the Act&rsquo;s primary objective&rdquo; of requiring photo ID &ldquo;after a long string of clauses describing comparatively minor changes.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The question is deliberately confusing, employing vague terminology (&lsquo;certain photo ID; &lsquo;make other changes&rsquo;) and technical language (&lsquo;ongoing absentee voter status&rsquo;) likely to be misunderstood by the average voter,&rdquo; the lawsuit reads.<\/p>\n<p><strong>[RELATED:[RELATED:<a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2024\/01\/15\/dishonest-ballot-initiative-wording-is-another-way-democrats-rig-elections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dishonest Ballot Initiative Wording Is Another Way Democrats Rig Elections<\/a>]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Plaintiffs noted past examples of Bellows <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.md\/2gCP7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">voicing opposition<\/a> to the initiative&rsquo;s provisions and voter ID requirements in general. They cited <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/bills\/getTestimonyDoc.asp?id=150251\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2021 testimony<\/a> the Democrat secretary gave to the Maine Legislature, in which she baselessly <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.md\/qAx1C#selection-1297.53-1297.103\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">claimed<\/a> that proposed laws mandating electors to provide such identification when voting represent &ldquo;discriminatory practices rooted in white supremacy.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;[T]he Secretary&rsquo;s personal misgivings about the Act do not empower her to misrepresent it to the public. Rather, the law requires her to put aside personal biases and draft a concise question that is &lsquo;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&rsquo;s wishes,&rsquo;&rdquo; the complaint reads.<\/p>\n<p>Plaintiffs have asked the Cumberland County Superior Court to vacate Bellows&rsquo; proposed question &ldquo;as not understandable and misleading&rdquo; under the Maine Constitution, and to remand the secretary to &ldquo;revise the ballot question consistent&rdquo; with their requested changes. <\/p>\n<p>   <a title=\"View Maine Voter ID Initiative Lawsuit on Scribd\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scribd.com\/document\/861205216\/Maine-Voter-ID-Initiative-Lawsuit#from_embed\">Maine Voter ID Initiative Lawsuit<\/a> by <a title=\"View The Federalist's profile on Scribd\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scribd.com\/user\/274202084\/The-Federalist#from_embed\">The Federalist<\/a> on Scribd<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p>      Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He previously served as a state content writer for Convention of States Action and his work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Maine&#8217;s elections chief allegedly used &#8220;misleading&#8221; language for a voter ID initiative on the November ballot, according to a lawsuit<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":539,"featured_media":2434150,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Shenna-Bellows.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[6571,4585,9148,11213,34222],"class_list":["post-2434148","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-elections","tag-lawsuit","tag-maine","tag-misleading","tag-voter-id"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Shenna-Bellows.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2434148","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/539"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2434148"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2434148\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2434153,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2434148\/revisions\/2434153"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2434150"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2434148"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2434148"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2434148"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}