Maine Officials Oppose Federal Voter List

Maine leaders are actively challenging President Trump’s recent executive order aimed at altering the nation’s voting processes. The order directs the Department of Homeland Security to create a list of verified voters in each state.

Executive Order Details and Concerns

Under the executive order, the United States Postal Service would be limited to sending mail-in ballots only to individuals included on this federally-created list. State election officials, however, have voiced strong objections to the plan.

Secretary of State Bellows Calls Order Unconstitutional

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has directly criticized the order as unconstitutional. “This is unconstitutional,” Bellows stated. “Remember, the founders 250 years ago… put states in charge of the elections, because they wanted to avoid tyranny, and the President is not in charge of elections, the states are.”

Senator Collins Weighs In

Senator Susan Collins expressed reservations about the necessity of a national voter list, suggesting states should primarily manage their own voter rolls. “I do not see the need for a national voters' list,” Collins said. “I think we should leave that up to the states, but if we find that a state is not doing a good job, that may be a reason for a lawsuit.”

Context: Stalled Federal Legislation

The executive order follows the stalling of “The SAVE America Act” in Congress. This proposed legislation would have mandated voter ID and proof of citizenship requirements for all voters.

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