Supreme Court Restores Maine Rep. Laurel Libby Voting Rights After Censure

The U.S. Supreme Court ordered the Maine House of Representatives to restore the voting rights of Republican State Representative Laurel Libby, who was censured for a viral social media post identifying a transgender high school athlete competing in girls' sports. The court ruled 7-2 in Libby's favor after she filed an emergency appeal to have her votes counted while her lawsuit over the censure proceeds, though she remains barred from speaking on the House floor. Libby hailed the decision as a victory for free speech and constitutional rights, emphasizing that it restores the voice of approximately 9,000 constituents in her district. The Maine Democratic majority had censured Libby for violating the chamber's code of ethics by allegedly putting the student and school community at risk, and Libby has refused to apologize, which under House rules is required to regain full privileges. The case is still ongoing in lower courts, with further hearings scheduled, but the Supreme Court's ruling temporarily reinstates her voting privileges despite the pending litigation. This development has sparked wider debate about free speech, transgender athletes in sports, and legislative discipline.