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GOP nominee for Maine governor calls for ICE agents at state polling places
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- Maine Republican gubernatorial nominee Bobby Charles announced plans to request ICE and U.S. Marshals presence at polling places before the midterm elections, aiming to prevent illegal voting and intimidation.
- Charles emphasized the need for coordination between state election officials and federal authorities to ensure election integrity, while denying intentions to intimidate lawful voters.
- His comments align with broader claims by former President Trump about widespread voter fraud, despite evidence showing noncitizen voting is extremely rare and illegal.
- Maine Democrats, including Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and the state Democratic Party, criticized Charles’ proposal as likely illegal and politically motivated, especially amid recent tensions involving ICE in the state.
- Federal law generally prohibits armed federal personnel at polling sites, and DHS officials have stated there are no plans to deploy ICE agents to voting locations for the upcoming elections.
