Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced Tuesday that a citizen initiative proposing limits on the rights of transgender students did not qualify for the November ballot because organizers did not gather enough valid signatures.
The decision marks a reversal for Bellows, who previously ruled the proposal had qualified for the November ballot.
“Citizen initiatives are direct democracy. Just as we take voting security seriously, we take petition integrity seriously,” Bellows said in a written statement. “Unfortunately, some out-of-state circulators failed to meet certain legal requirements for petitions, resulting in this initiative failing to qualify for the ballot after legal review. I am proud of the hard work and dedication of the Secretary of State staff who work so hard to safeguard our elections for the benefit of every Maine voter.”
The ruling may not be the last word on the proposal. Bellows’ decision could be further challenged in court.
The ballot initiative would have required Maine schools to have separate bathrooms and locker rooms for students based on the sex they were assigned at birth. It also would have barred transgender athletes from competing in a way that aligns with their gender identity.
Bellows previously certified that the referendum’s organizers had gathered enough valid signatures to qualify.
That decision prompted a group of Maine citizens to sue and the Cumberland County Superior Court remanded the cases back to the state.
Last week, Chief Deputy Secretary of State Katherine McBrien, the designated appeals officer, ruled that group, Protect Girl’s Sports in Maine, fell roughly 500 valid signatures short of the 67,682 needed to appear on the ballot.
The referendum effort has drawn massive support and significant opposition from outside groups. Conservative megadonor and Illinois businessman Richard Uihlein put forward $800,000 to support the referendum effort.
This is a developing story.