FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Public comment period now open on wording of ballot question

AUGUSTA — Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is now accepting public comment on the wording of a citizen initiative question that will appear on the Nov. 4, 2025 General Election ballot, unless enacted by the Legislature as written.

The department’s Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions certified An Act to Require an Individual to Present Photographic Identification for the Purpose of Voting in February. The ballot question, as drafted, reads:

“Do you want to change Maine election laws to require voters to show ID before voting, end ongoing absentee voting for seniors and people with disabilities, ban prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes, prohibit requests for absentee ballots by phone or family members, eliminate two days of absentee voting, and make other changes to our elections?”

State law requires Secretary Bellows to present each proposed legislation “in a clear, concise and direct manner that describes the subject matter… as simply as possible.” She will be accepting public comments regarding the question’s form and content for a 30-day period, beginning today, Wednesday, March 12 until 5 p.m. on Friday, April 11. All comments will be reviewed and considered before the ballot question is finalized.

Comments will be accepted via the online submission form, email, mail or in person:

  • Mail comments to the Secretary of State, Attn: Public Comment, 148 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0148
  • Drop off written comments to the Office of the Secretary of State at the Nash School Building, 103 Sewall St., 2nd floor, Augusta, Maine.

The full text of the proposed legislation is available on the Citizen Initiatives webpage, along with proponent information.

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