Republican gubernatorial nominee Bobby Charles has put election integrity and immigration enforcement squarely at the center of Maine’s gubernatorial race after telling young Republicans he plans to ask White House border czar Tom Homan for federal law enforcement assistance around polling places in November.
The comments have triggered a political firestorm, with Democrats accusing Charles of voter intimidation and independent candidate Rick Bennett joining the criticism.
But the controversy also exposes a larger question for Charles: Can a message that helped energize Republican primary voters also win over the independents and undecided voters he needs to capture the Blaine House?
Speaking to Maine Young Republicans in Arundel on Aug. 20, Charles said he planned to contact Homan shortly before Election Day.
“Here’s my secret,” “I have a friend named Tom Homan. Tom and I used to get on Fox all the time together. Tom’s an awesome guy.”
Charles then went further.
“I’m going to ask Tom, three or four weeks before the election, maybe three — I’m going to make an appeal for ICE and marshals to be at our voting booths,” Charles said.
He followed with a pointed question: “Do you think the illegals who are being paid money are going to like that?”
The reaction was immediate.
Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat who lost this year’s gubernatorial primary, said Charles cannot simply place federal agents at Maine polling locations.
“ICE and federal law enforcement are prohibited from being at the polls on Election Day,” Bellows said. “Bobby Charles can call whoever he wants, but he can’t change the Constitution or the law.”
Democratic nominee Hannah Pingree called the comments “horrendous.”
“I think it is completely out of line and as I understand it, illegal,” Pingree told Spectrum News. “It is just a sign that this guy is not ready to be governor of Maine.”
Bennett, a former Republican state Senate president running as an independent, was also sharply critical.
“I find it appalling that a candidate for major political office in today’s world would be suggesting that ICE agents, masked ICE agents be at the polls in Maine intimidating Maine voters,” Bennett said.
Charles’ campaign, however, has not backed away from the larger issue.
“The point is that Bobby will do everything legally possible to prevent illegal voting in Maine, to make sure that Maine elections are decided by legal Maine voters,” campaign manager Dale Crafts Jr. said.
Crafts later said Charles would seek “all legal assistance” available through the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security.
That distinction matters.
Federal law places restrictions on armed federal personnel at polling places, while Maine law also bars conduct intended to influence voters within polling locations and on public property within 250 feet of an entrance.
Federal agents can still respond to legitimate threats or criminal activity.
The legal question, therefore, is not whether federal law enforcement can ever become involved at a polling location. It is whether Charles could legally arrange for agents to be stationed there in advance.
The political question may be even more important.
The Dums are complaining that Charles is trying to “change the law or the Constitution”. Since when did that matter to those irrelevant Commie wannabes?
If there aren’t illegal aliens voting, what’s the issue?
How is ICE at the polls any difference from an OUI roadblock?
And aren’t we told that people not breaking the law don’t need to worry about these?