Shenna Bellows

Maine Democrats must replace Graham Platner as their Senate nominee after he suspended his campaign due to allegations of sexual assault, which he denies. The party will select a replacement by July 27th through a process involving a nominating convention with 600 delegates, though details remain unclear. Candidates include Troy Jackson, Dan Kleban, Jordan Wood, Paige Loud, Nirav Shah, and Shenna Bellows.

Shenna Bellows, Maine’s secretary of state, is a Democrat considering a Senate run and has used her position to defy President Trump.

Graham Platner withdrew from Maine’s Senate race following a new sexual allegation, prompting Democrats to seek replacements to challenge GOP Sen. Susan Collins. Potential candidates include Troy Jackson, Shenna Bellows, and others, with the Maine Democratic Party required to select a successor by July 27.

Graham Platner has not yet officially submitted paperwork to withdraw from the Senate race, according to a spokesperson for Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows' office. Platner announced he is suspending his campaign but intends to file withdrawal paperwork, while Bellows is being considered as a possible replacement.

Graham Platner's campaign conducted a poll to assess potential Democratic replacements amid pressure to exit the Senate race following a sexual assault allegation. The campaign canceled events and ads, and discussions with the Maine Democratic Party about replacing him on the ballot became contentious.

Democratic incumbents who led impeachment efforts against Donald Trump have lost primary races to progressive challengers, indicating a shift in voter priorities during the 2024 midterms. Progressive groups like Justice Democrats are gaining momentum despite earlier setbacks.

Maine is using ranked choice voting to determine nominees for its governor's office and a U.S. House race after no candidate exceeded 50% in the primaries. The Maine Secretary of State Department is overseeing the public ballot count, with results expected next week.

Maine began counting ranked choice ballots to determine nominees for an open governor's office and a U.S. House race after no candidates exceeded 50% in the primaries. The process, which eliminates the lowest finisher and reallocates votes based on preferences, is expected to conclude next week with public tabulations.

A Maine Superior Court judge upheld the Secretary of State's decision to invalidate an anti-transgender ballot referendum due to improper signature collection by out-of-state petition circulators. The referendum, which sought to limit trans students' access to school sports teams, bathrooms, and locker rooms, fell about 500 signatures short of the legal threshold.

Maine voters are selecting a successor for Gov. Janet Mills in a competitive gubernatorial primary with multiple candidates from both parties. Democratic voters are choosing between Hannah Pingree, Angus King III, Shenna Bellows, and other contenders.

Democratic candidates Troy Jackson, Shenna Bellows, and Hannah Pingree received Platner’s endorsement for Maine Governor. The candidates include a former president of the State Senate, the secretary of state, and a former speaker of the State House.

Maine Democrats are considering adopting a 'winner take all' Electoral College vote system if Nebraska changes its method, potentially affecting the 2028 presidential election. The move follows speculation that Nebraska, led by Republicans, might shift to a similar system, mirroring Maine's current district-based allocation.

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows rejected a ballot question regarding transgender athletes in January. The decision was administrative, focusing on procedural compliance rather than the policy's content.

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows invalidated a ballot initiative restricting transgender students' access to school facilities and sports due to improper signature collection by out-of-state petition circulators. The 'Protect Girls Sports' campaign failed to meet legal requirements, with over 12,000 signatures invalidated after a hearing revealed violations, including unattended petition forms.

A Maine ballot initiative requiring school sports participation and facilities to be designated by biological sex faces potential invalidation after state officials determined it lacks sufficient valid signatures. The Secretary of State's office recommended rejecting the measure, which needs 67,682 signatures but only has 67,150 valid ones after a court-ordered review. The final decision will be made by Secretary of State Shenna Bellows on May 26, with supporters pledging to continue legal challenges.

A Trump-appointed federal judge in Maine dismissed a DOJ lawsuit seeking voter roll data from Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. The judge ruled that the federal government's request violated principles of federalism and state control over elections. This marks the seventh state where such a DOJ lawsuit has been dismissed.

A Trump-appointed federal judge dismissed a DOJ lawsuit against Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, ruling that the state was not required to turn over voter roll data to the federal government. The judge sided with Bellows' argument that the request violated principles of federalism and state control over elections. This ruling is one of seven dismissals of similar DOJ lawsuits seeking voter data from states.

The US Justice Department is ordering sanctuary states to halt a policy that refuses to issue undercover license plates to Department of Homeland Security agents, citing risk of harm and constitutional violations. The policy discrepancy affects several states, including Washington, Maine, Oregon, and Massachusetts. The DOJ has given an ultimatum to comply by May 22 or face further litigation.