State seal - Maine Secretary of State

Home

Secretary Bellows seeks nominations for John Lewis Youth Leadership Award

AUGUSTA — Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is seeking nominations for the 2022 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award.

Through this annual award, the Secretary of State’s Office recognizes one Maine resident, age 25 or younger, who demonstrates leadership abilities, has a passion for social justice, and is improving the quality of life in their community.

Citizen Initiative Regarding Voter Approval for Certain Public Borrowing Found Valid with 68,807 Signatures

AUGUSTA — The citizen initiative petition regarding voter approval for certain public borrowing has been found valid, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows confirmed today.

The petitions for “An Act To Require Voter Approval of Certain Borrowing by Government-controlled Entities and Utilities and To Provide Voters More Information Regarding that Borrowing” had been in circulation since December 7, 2021. On December 27, 2022 the Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions received 28,238 petition forms with 93,837 signatures of voters who support the initiative.

2021 winners of Native American Essay Contest Announced

AUGUSTA — Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is congratulating three students as the winners of the 2021 Maine Native American History and Culture Essay Contest.

Ronan Drage, a seventh grade student at Boothbay Region Elementary School won middle school first place for his essay, "The Wabanaki Dawn Versus The First Light."

Jasai Marable, a seventh grader at Windsor Elementary School won middle school second place for his essay "The Maine Maliseet Tribe."

Maine receives $1M federal appropriation for Election Security

AUGUSTA — Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced Monday that Maine received an award of $1,000,000 under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 for Election Security.

"Ongoing investment in election infrastructure is vital for Maine to continue being a national leader in election administration," said Secretary Bellows. "We’re glad to see this investment from the federal government so that we have the resources to protect the integrity of Maine elections."

Subscribe to