In reversal, transgender sports referendum won’t be on Maine’s fall ballot

Key Points:

• Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced that a citizen initiative limiting transgender students' rights did not qualify for the November ballot due to insufficient valid signatures, reversing her earlier certification of the proposal.
• The decision followed legal challenges and a detailed review that invalidated over 3,500 signatures due to circulators' failure to meet legal requirements, including incomplete oaths and unattended petitions.
• The initiative sought to require separate bathrooms and locker rooms based on birth sex and barred transgender athletes from competing according to their gender identity, drawing significant support and opposition, including $800,000 from conservative donor Richard Uihlein.
• The Maine GOP criticized Bellows for allegedly abusing her power, while supporters of election integrity praised the ruling as upholding strict rules and safeguarding democracy; proponents have 10 days to appeal the decision in court.
• Bellows, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, denied political influence in her decision, emphasizing it was based on evidence and legal findings from the review process.