Voter ID supporters file challenge over approved ballot language

By Leela Stockley, Bangor Daily News Staff

Proponents of the push to require a photo ID to vote have filed a challenge against the state over the referendum language that will appear on Mainers’ ballots this fall. 

The voter ID referendum was submitted in February with at least 86,904 valid signatures, more than the 67,682 needed to qualify for the November ballot, according to the Maine secretary of state’s office. 

The referendum will appear on ballots this fall. The full question 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 initiative has been backed by conservative activist Leonard Leo. 

The challenge filed in Cumberland County Superior Court on Monday by Alex Titcomb, the campaign manager for Voter ID for ME, claims that the wording approved by Secretary of State Shenna Bellows misrepresents the intent of the initiative. 

“We are seeking a court order requiring the Secretary to revise the ballot question to comply with statutory and constitutional standards before it appears on the November Ballot,” Titcomb said. 

The state requires that the court issue a ruling within 40 days of the language finalization, which was issued on May 5.