News

Voter ID to be on Maine Ballot in November

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


(AP) — Maine voters will decide whether the state will become the latest to require voter identification at the polls.

A conservative group in the state has been gathering petitions to get an act on the ballot to require the presentation of photographic identification for the purpose of voting. The petitioners have “far exceeded” the required number of signatures needed to get the proposal on the ballot, the Maine Department of the Secretary of State said in a Wednesday statement.

Under Maine law, the proposal will now go to the Legislature for consideration, and lawmakers can either enact it or send it to residents for a statewide vote in November. Democrats control the state Legislature and have turned away voter ID proposals before, so the issue will almost certainly be left to voters.

The Dinner Table, a conservative political action committee, brought forward the proposal. The high number of signatures shows support for voter ID, said Republican state Rep. Laurel Libby, the co-founder of the group.

“The time is right because Maine people have spoken up and made it really clear they want voter ID to be the law of the land,” Libby said. “This citizens initiative is Maine people speaking up.”

Latest Headlines

3 days ago in Sports, Trending

Jalen Hurts and the Eagles win their second NFC East title in a row by beating the Commanders 29-18

As the percussive horns of Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke" filled the air, Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni — wearing a black T-shirt bearing the words, "Been there, won that" — made the rounds in the locker room, offering hand clasps and back slaps to his players after they accomplished something that hadn't happened in two decades: win a second consecutive NFC East title.

3 days ago in Entertainment

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ launches with $88M domestically, $345M worldwide

"Avatar: Fire and Ash" opened with $345 million in worldwide sales, according to studio estimates Sunday, notching the second-best global debut of the year and potentially putting James Cameron on course to set yet more blockbuster records.

3 days ago in Entertainment, Trending

Pop culture in 2025: A ring for Taylor, an ill-timed KissCam … and whatever ‘6-7’ means

From the inexplicable to the familiar, here's our annual, highly selective journey down pop culture memory lane.

6 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Judge nixes conviction of one of two men found guilty of killing Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay

A judge Friday voided the conviction of one of the two men found guilty of the 2002 killing of Run-D.M.C. star Jam Master Jay, ruling that there wasn't enough evidence that the man had a motive to kill the hip-hop luminary.

6 days ago in Entertainment

Pete Davidson and Elsie Hewitt welcome their ‘perfect angel girl’

Pete Davidson and Elsie Hewitt have announced the birth of their "perfect angel girl." They took to Instagram on Thursday to herald the Dec. 12 birth of Scottie Rose Hewitt Davidson, accompanied by several photos of the couple cradling and caring for their newborn.