Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has released the final question wording for the voter ID citizens initiative introduced in Augusta after over 170,000 Mainers signed a petition in support of bringing this issue to the table.
Led by Dinner Table Action Executive Director Alex Titcomb and Rep. Laurel Libby (R-Auburn), the effort to get a voter ID question on the ballot was accomplished with minimal funding and hundreds of volunteers, organizers say.
“At its core, this initiative is about making sure that our elections are fair, that they are transparent, and that they are secure. It’s not complicated, not partisan, just common sense. This is how we strengthen our elections,” Rep. Libby said at a hearing on Friday.
The proposed measure, if enacted, would require voters to present a photographic ID or otherwise prove their identity in order to cast their ballots.
Although the Legislature has repeatedly declined to enact voter ID laws, this initiative allows the people to effectively demand such a law, as voters recently did with the automotive right to repair initiative.
When legislation is introduced through this process, lawmakers typically have the option of either enacting the bill exactly as it was submitted by petitioners or sending the proposal directly to Maine voters for consideration.
Because the Legislature adjourned early this year without taking action on this bill, Mainers can will see this proposal on the ballot this November.
Although Gov. Janet Mills (D) immediately called the Legislature back into session following this adjournment, this does not negate the impact of their early adjournment on this proposal.
This November, voters will see the following question on their ballots:
“Do you want to change Maine election laws to eliminate two days of absentee voting, prohibit requests for absentee ballots by phone or family members, end ongoing absentee voter status for seniors and people with disabilities, ban prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes, limit the number of drop boxes, require voters to show certain photo ID before voting, and make other changes to our elections?”
Under the law appearing on this November’s ballot, voters would be required to present a valid photo ID, such as a Maine driver’s license, U.S. passport, or military ID, when casting their ballots in person.
Voters without photo identification would be able to cast a challenged or provisional ballot with the caveat that they must provide proper ID within four days post-election for their vote to be counted.
Religious exemptions for those will moral objections to being photographed can be obtained through an affidavit process. Voters with objections to photography must submit an affidavit citing their beliefs and provide the last four digits of their Social Security number for verification.
To minimize financial barriers, the legislation requires the state to issue free nondriver identification cards to eligible residents without a Maine driver’s license.
[RELATED: Dinner Table Delivers — Conservative Group Aims to Put Voter ID on Maine’s Ballot for 2025 Election]
This bill also aims to change Maine’s election laws with respect to absentee voting, including by rolling back certain provisions and by implementing new regulations.
One way that this bill looks to amend the absentee balloting process is by preventing municipalities from having more than one absentee ballot drop box within their jurisdiction, as well as by requiring that a “bipartisan team of election officials” possess the drop box key.
Voters would also be barred from requesting absentee ballots over the phone, something that is currently permissible under state law.
Additionally, should this bill be approved, the statute allowing voters to automatically receive absentee ballots for each election without needed to submit separate requests would be repealed.
This law, if passed, would go into effect on January 1, 2026, providing time for any necessary infrastructure adjustments to made, as well as for the launch of public awareness campaigns to explain the requirement.
Under this timeline, voter ID would be in place for the November 2026 elections, which are expected to be consequential for Maine.
Not only will the gubernatorial election be an open race, but U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R) will be seeking re-election. U.S. Rep. Jared Golden (D) could also potentially vacate Maine’s Second Congressional District office in order to run for governor, leaving the contest for that seat open as well.
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Note: This story was updated on May 9, 2025 to accurately reflect the potential path forward for the voter ID citizens initiative. Because the Legislature adjourned early without taking action on this bill, the proposal will appear on the ballot this November.
