Maine Voter ID Ballot Language Faces Legal Challenge

A coalition of Maine citizens and advocacy groups has filed a legal challenge against Secretary of State Shenna Bellows regarding the wording of a voter ID ballot initiative scheduled for the November election. The lawsuit alleges that Bellows' finalized ballot question is misleading, overly complicated, and fails to impartially summarize the initiative, which would require photo identification to vote and make changes to absentee voting and ballot drop boxes. Critics argue that the ballot language buries the initiative’s main intent behind technical details, while Bellows maintains it accurately reflects the proposed law and that any controversial provisions were included by its backers. The court is required to rule on the challenge within 40 days of the ballot language’s finalization. This legal dispute comes amid heightened partisan tensions, following Bellows' previous attempt to remove Donald Trump from Maine’s primary ballot. The case reflects broader debates over election laws in the state.