SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — Although Maine's Election Day was largely smooth, reports have been made about racial intimidation at polling locations. According to the League of Women Voters of Maine, a couple of incidents involving racial harassment surfaced in Trenton and South Portland, making some voters feel unwelcome or even threatened.
This election, the league deployed more than 115 nonpartisan volunteers across 83 towns and cities as part of a multi-year initiative aimed at supporting fair and safe elections. Anna Kellar, the league's executive director, said while most polling places ran smoothly, Kellar noted that a few concerning incidents were documented.
One such incident occurred in Trenton, where a voter of color reported feeling intimidated when another person in line made remarks suggesting that voters should speak English and advocated for voter IDs.
A second incident was reported in South Portland, where a person of color was approached outside the polling location and questioned about their voting choice in a confrontational tone. Jessica Hughes, the city clerk of South Portland, confirmed that an election warden was able to address the situation. The warden verified the individual's eligibility to vote and ensured they could cast their ballot without further disturbance.
In its report, the League of Women Voters connected these incidents to a broader issue: disinformation surrounding noncitizens voting illegally. This disinformation, Kellar said, can create an environment where eligible voters feel afraid to vote.
"That fear caused by disinformation impacts people who are eligible to vote, who might then feel intimidated or have an unpleasant experience," Kellar emphasized. "That in itself is harmful to our democracy. Everyone should be able to vote safely and with confidence, without harassment."
The league is urging candidates and leaders to take a firm stand against this behavior. Kellar emphasized that those in leadership positions have a responsibility to ensure their supporters understand that intimidation at the polls is unacceptable.
Also in the report, the organization noted these incidents are not common in Maine. However, it says this election saw the highest number of cases of voter intimidation and harassment the group has witnessed in four years.