Maine Secretary of State Denies DOJ Request for Voter Data

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has formally challenged the U.S. Department of Justice's broad request for the personal voter information of every Maine citizen, emphasizing that election administration is constitutionally a state responsibility and warning against federal overreach. Bellows questioned the need for such extensive data given Maine's history of secure elections and high voter turnout, pointing out the state's use of modern safeguards like automatic voter registration and regular voter list maintenance. In her letter to the DOJ, Bellows requested clarification on the legal basis and investigatory purpose for the request, which sought detailed voter registration data, lists of election officials, and information on ineligible voters. This request is part of a nationwide DOJ effort under President Donald Trump’s administration, marking a shift from historically protecting voting access to focusing on alleged voter fraud and noncitizen voting, claims that have been widely disputed. Bellows expressed grave concerns about the unprecedented scope of the DOJ inquiry, asserting she will protect voter privacy and security and uphold Maine’s state authority in election matters. The DOJ has not publicly responded to Bellows’ letter or the broader requests made to multiple states.