AUGUSTA, MAINE – Secretary of State Shenna Bellows today responded to the Department of Justice’s unprecedented request for every Maine citizen’s voter information.
Secretary Bellows said simply, “The Gulf of Maine is awfully cold, but maybe that’s what the DOJ needs to cool down. So, here’s my answer to Trump’s DOJ today: go jump in the Gulf of Maine.”
Maine is among the most recent states to receive a request for voter files. Reportedly it is Justice Department’s intention to make similar requests of every state.
“The DOJ doesn’t get to know everything about you just because they want to,” said Secretary Bellows, pointing out that Article I of the Constitution places the states in charge of our elections, not the federal government. “I believe strongly in voter privacy, and I feel strongly that the federal government has overstepped its bounds with this request.”
Secretary Bellows pointed to the success of Maine elections, particularly in terms of voter registration and turnout. In 2024, Maine was third in the nation in voter turnout, and in 2022, it was number one. More Maine citizens turned out to vote in 2024 than ever before in Maine’s history.
“Mainers should be very proud of our high voter participation – we have free, safe, and secure elections,” Secretary Bellows said. “We owe a thank you to our hardworking state and local election officials who make it happen. The DOJ should be ashamed of themselves for casting any aspersion on Maine clerks and civil service elections officials.”
Maine will issue a formal letter of response to the Justice Department request in the coming days.
“They have no right to the sensitive, personal information of every voter in the State of Maine,” said Bellows. “We will be telling them that in the days to come.”
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Attachment: Letter from Justice Dept.