• April 1, 2026 (Word)
• March 25, 2026 (Word)

AUGUSTA, MAINE – In a letter to Roman Jankowski, Chief Privacy Officer for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows joined 11 other Secretaries of State from across the country in objecting to DHS’s current approach to the expansion of SAVE for voter eligibility determinations.

State Representative Kristen Cloutier resigned on October 31

AUGUSTA, MAINE – Governor Janet Mills and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows today signed a proclamation announcing a special election for the Maine House District 94 seat will be held on February 24, 2026.

This House seat was previously held by State Representative Kristen Cloutier, who resigned effective October 31, 2025.

House District 94 is comprised of part of Lewiston. 

AUGUSTA, MAINE – The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) today submitted comments voicing strong opposition to a federal rule that would restrict legal immigrants from holding a commercial driver license (CDL).

AUGUSTA, MAINE – In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows joined nine other Secretaries of State from across the country in demanding answers from U.S Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the use of voter data.

492,008 total ballots cast in off year election

AUGUSTA, MAINE – Secretary Bellows today communicated the official tabulation of the votes cast for the November 4, 2025 Referendum Election to Governor Janet Mills. The governor has 10 days to proclaim the results of the ballot questions.

AUGUSTA, MAINE – Secretary Bellows launched online renewal of REAL ID by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) today. More than 70,000 REAL ID driver’s licenses are due for renewal in the next year. With this new online REAL ID service, most Maine residents with an expiring REAL ID will no longer need to visit their local BMV branch to renew their identification. AAA branches can now also help Mainers renew their REAL ID.

Uniformed Service and Overseas Voters (UOCAVA) results (11/04/2025): 

Total ballots cast: 2262

Question 1:

• Yes – 187
• No – 2067
• Blank – 8 

Question 2:

• Yes – 2081
• No – 171
• Blank – 10

Somerset County Referendum Question:

Our museum has several exhibits in partitioned areas representing many historical aspects of life in West Paris including homemaking, hobbies, school, military, and local businesses and industries such as the clothespin mills, construction companies and gem mines. Most items have been donated by local townspeople.

AUGUSTA, MAINE – Monday, November 3 is Election Hero Day, a nonpartisan civic holiday that celebrates the contribu