PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine's elections in recent years have been relatively free of issues, with verified cases of voter fraud being exceptionally rare.
Nonetheless, Republicans are moving forward with substantial changes to the state's voting methods.
Maine is one of two states showcasing election-related initiatives on the Nov. 4 ballot, presenting the most comprehensive measure to voters. Comparatively, Texas is seeking to establish in the state constitution that non-U.S. citizens are ineligible to vote.
Maine’s Question 1 focuses on requiring voter ID but encompasses a broader scope. This proposal, backed by a significant conservative group in the state, would also limit the use of drop boxes to one per municipality, while imposing restrictions on absentee voting that has seen increasing popularity.
Voters in both states will render their verdict on these measures amidst ongoing claims by former President Donald Trump regarding widespread election fraud that remains unsubstantiated.
In Maine, the initiative seeks to mandate voter identification before casting a ballot—a practice already adopted by several other states primarily controlled by Republicans. In April, Wisconsin voters solidified their state's current voter ID law within the state constitution.
Question 1 also proposes reducing absentee voting by two days, banning requests for absentee ballots via phone or through family members, eliminating absentee voter status for seniors and individuals with disabilities, and restricting drop box availability among other modifications.
Notably, absentee voting has gained traction in Maine, a state governed by Democratic leadership, where nearly half of voters utilized absentee methods in the 2024 presidential election.
Democratic Governor Janet Mills is among many opposing the proposed changes, asserting that the right to vote is under threat.
“You can trust that your vote will be counted fairly, whether cast in person or absentee,” Mills stated. “But that fundamental right is being compromised by Question 1.”
Proponents of the voter ID initiative argue that it aims to enhance election security. Republican Rep. Laurel Libby, a supporter, emphasized the necessity of securing Maine's elections.
A notable backbone of the initiative is the Dinner Table PAC—a conservative collective that raised more than $600,000 to promote it, primarily backed by the Republican State Leadership Committee.
Concerns surrounding election procedures are heightened, as Maine and the FBI investigate the circumstances under which dozens of unmarked ballots intended for the election were found in a woman's Amazon order.
Texas Voters Weigh Citizenship Requirement
In Texas, voters are also determining whether to amend the state constitution to ensure noncitizens are unable to participate in elections, despite current laws prohibiting such actions.
Since North Dakota first instituted similar changes in 2018, thirteen states have followed suit, with proposed amendments on ballots in Kansas and South Dakota for November 2026.
Supporters argue that enhancing these laws is crucial, with Republican Rep. A.J. Louderback saying, “I think we need to clean this mess up.”
The proposed Texas amendment would add language specifying that “persons who are not citizens of the United States” are ineligible to vote, supplementing existing restrictions.
Critics from both states argue that introducing voter ID requirements and citizenship proofs are solutions in search of a problem. They maintain that the existing laws effectively prevent noncitizen voting and that the narrative perpetuated by these initiatives is harmful to democracy.
Experts claim that increasing voting obstacles tends only to diminish voter participation, as highlighted by Mark Brewer, the chair of the University of Maine’s political science department.
“The evidence shows that imposing more barriers to voting makes it more challenging and discourages people from voting,” Brewer noted.
