The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Nov. 7, 2025

Maine voters soundly defeated Question 1 November 4th, which would have made the state’s voter ID rules the most restrictive in the country, and tightened rules for voting by mail. It was pitched as an “election integrity” measure, despite almost non-existent voter fraud in Maine.

Had it passed, Question 1 would have narrowed Maine’s voter ID options, eliminating student IDs, tribal IDs and other currently acceptable documents, despite no evidence of abuse.  It would have also restricted how the state, which has the oldest median age in the country, voted by mail.  

About half of Maine’s voters used a mail-in ballot in 2024, and over 16,000 subscribe to an ongoing absentee voter list.  Question 1 would have eliminated the absentee list, and prohibited requesting an absentee application by phone.  It would also have prohibited third parties from delivering absentee ballot applications, including family members, and limited drop box locations to one per town. 

October polling showed 48% support, 49% opposing  and 3% undecided.  In the end, it wasn’t close, with only 36.3% voting yes, and 63.7% no.  

Governor Janet Mills said in a statement, “Maine has long had one of the highest rates of voter turnout in the nation, in good part due to safe absentee voting — and Maine people tonight have said they want to keep it that way.”

We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

American Democracy Minute – (Sept) Restrictions for Mail-In Voting and Voter ID on the Ballot in Maine Nov. 4th Even Though Voter Fraud in Maine is Almost Nonexistent
Maine Secretary of State – Maine Citizen’s Guide to the Referendum Election
Maine Morning Star – Question 1 Changes to Maine election laws
League of Women Voters ME – Voter Suppression Referendum
Maine Morning Star – Mainers reject voter ID proposal, maintaining state voting laws
WGME – High voter turnout attributed to hot local races and key referendum questions

Groups Taking Action:

No on 1, Save Maine Absentee Voting, League of Women Voters ME, AFL-CIO, Disability Rights ME

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State 

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX 

#News #Democracy  #DemocracyNews #Maine #Question1 #VoterSuppression

The post Maine Voters Defeat Initiative to Further Limit Voter ID Options and Restrict Voting by Mail appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Oct. 9, 2025

We reported recently on a Maine ballot initiative pushing restrictions on voter ID and mail-in voting.  Then mysteriously on September 30th, 250 unmarked absentee ballots from Elsworth, Maine showed up in an Amazon package 40 miles away.  The plot thickens.

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced at a press conference October 6th that both Maine authorities and the FBI were engaged in an investigation.  

Elsworth’s town clerk received two boxes of mail ballots September 30th, and notified the Secretary of State Elections Division that one box was missing 250 unmarked mail-in ballots, and that the box’s security tape had been altered.  Forty miles away, a Newburgh, Maine resident reported receiving an Amazon package which included her order and the missing 250 ballots.  The resident brought the ballots to the Newburgh town clerk, who notified the Elections Division at 8 AM, Oct. 1st.  The checks & balances in Maine’s election policies worked.

But that day, pictures of the resident’s beat up and retaped Amazon box surfaced on social media, with messages decrying Maine’s election integrity. The conservative Maine Wire news blog quoted the resident as saying, “I am greatly concerned for our state and its voting requirements.”  GOP legislators seized on the missing ballots as proof that Question 1 should be passed. 

Secretary of State Bellows remarked, “To any bad actor involved, you will be caught, and you will be punished.”  We’ve linked to the local reporting at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

American Democracy Minute – (Sept. 26) Restrictions for Mail-In Voting and Voter ID on the Ballot in Maine Nov. 4th Even Though Voter Fraud in Maine is Almost Nonexistent
Maine Public – 250 Ellsworth ballots reported missing the same day as alleged delivery to Newburgh woman
The Maine Wire – Maine Woman Discovers Hundreds of Election Ballots in Amazon Package as State Considers Voter ID
Maine Morning Star – Amid ongoing investigation into found ballots, Sec. Bellows underscores Maine election security
Snopes – Unpacking claim Maine resident found hundreds of ballots in Amazon package
CBS 13 – Sec. Bellows holds press conference to discuss security of absentee voting process 

Groups Taking Action:

No on 1, Save Maine Absentee Voting, League of Women Voters ME, AFL-CIO, Disability Rights ME

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#News #Democracy  #DemocracyNews #Maine #Question1 #VoterID #250Ballots #ShennaBellows #VotebyMail

The post The Plot Thickens in Maine After 250 Missing Unmarked Mail Ballots Show Up on a Doorstep appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Sept. 26, 2025

Maine voters decide November 4th whether adding more ID and mail-in voting restrictions for most voters justifies preventing almost nonexistent voter fraud.   Question 1 tightens voter ID requirements, and adds hurdles for mail-in voters, including the elderly and disabled, despite only two voter fraud convictions since 1982.  

About half of Maine’s over 842,000 2024 voters used a mail-in ballot, and over 16,000 subscribe to an ongoing absentee voter list, according to the state’s September 2025 figures.  If approved, Question 1 would eliminate the absentee list, and prohibit requesting an absentee application by phone.  It also prohibits third parties from delivering absentee ballot applications, including family members.  Maine’s population is the oldest in the U.S., with 21.8% of residents over 65.  

Question 1 also limits the number of drop boxes available in each town to only one, and requires a bipartisan team of town officials just to check the box.  Opponents of the amendment fear the cost and hassle will result in towns curtailing drop boxes entirely.  

Question 1 also narrows to Maine’s voter ID options, eliminating student IDs, tribal IDs and other currently acceptable documents, despite no evidence of abuse.  

At almost 75%, Maine consistently has one of the highest voter turnouts in the country,and the Heritage Foundation’s own figures show just two convictions for voter fraud  –  in over 40 years.   

We have the text of Question 1 at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Maine Morning Star – (2024) Maine voter turnout this year surpassed previous record high
State of Maine – Question 1 as it appears on the ballot
Question 1 – (via Ballotpedia) Full Text as it revises statute
The Beacon – Maine voter suppression referendum to appear as Question 1 on ballot
Maine Morning Star – Here are the big questions that will appear on Maine’s November ballot 
Ballotpedia – Maine Question 1, Require Voter Photo ID and Change Absentee Ballot and Drop Box Rules Initiative (2025)
Brennan Center for Justice – Debunking the Voter Fraud Myth 

Groups Taking Action:

No on 1, Save Maine Absentee Voting, League of Women Voters ME, AFL-CIO, Disability Rights ME

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#News #Democracy  #DemocracyNews #Maine #VoterSuppression #VoteatHome #VoterID

The post Restrictions for Mail-In Voting and Voter ID on the Ballot in Maine Nov. 4th Even Though Voter Fraud in Maine is Almost Nonexistent appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Nov. 21, 2024

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

A 2020 Alaska ballot initiative took steps to shine a light on dark money campaign funding. The U.S. Supreme Court just turned down a challenge to that law, and it may be good news for an expected case in Maine.

Alaska voters approved Ballot Measure 2 in 2020, which in addition to implementing open primaries and ranked choice voting, also took steps to disclose dark money funding of campaigns and ballot measures.

It requires candidates and ballot measure organizers to disclose the “true source” of funding for any contribution over $2,000 within 24 hours, limiting the ability of donors using 501c nonprofits and other entities to hide their identities.  For any group whose funding is 50% from out of state, a disclaimer must be added for all communications, including advertising. 

Claiming a violation of First Amendment rights, several groups and contributors sued, but November 18th, the U.S. Supreme Court turned down the case without comment. Great news for voters, and it also could bode well for Maine’s recently passed Question 1, limiting contributions to SuperPACs to $5,000 and requiring disclosure of those donations.  Organizers of that initiative expect it will be challenged, and think the U.S. Supreme Court majority could uphold a state’s power to regulate campaign finance contributions.

We have links to more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Alaskans for Better Elections – Greater Transparency in Campaign Financing
BallotPedia – Alaska Ballot Measure 2, Top-Four Ranked-Choice Voting and Campaign Finance Laws Initiative (2020)
U.S. Supreme Court – Appeal Request

Alaska Beacon – U.S. Supreme Court may consider Alaska’s ‘dark money’ disclosure rules
Anchorage Daily News – US Supreme Court rejects challenge to Alaska campaign disclosure rules approved by voters in 2020
Associated Press – A voter-approved Maine limit on PAC contributions sets the stage for a legal challenge

Groups Taking Action:

Alaskans for Better Elections, Maine Citizens to End SuperPACs

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #Alaska #Maine #Dark Money #EndCitizensUnited #SCOTUS

The post SCOTUS Turns Down Case Challenging Alaska’s Dark Money Disclosure Law. Great News for Voters and a Possibly a Future Case in Maine. appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for March 26, 2024

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

While the candidates for President have already been decided, April 2nd, Wisconsin voters must still vote on two important ballot questions with roots in 2020 conspiracy theories.  One constitutionally bans outside private funding to support election administration, and another limits who can help run elections.

Question 1 would constitutionally ban private funding for elections such as provided by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg during the 2020 election.  The pandemic caused municipalities to hastily acquire unbudgeted safety equipment for in-person voting, and to hire more staff to manage record use of mail-in voting.   Unfounded accusations blamed the grant money for increasing turnout of Democrats, contributing to Donald Trump’s loss.

Question 2 limits who can help run elections, but its vague language raises concerns for election officials and democracy groups.  It says, “No individual other than an election official designated by law may perform any task in the conduct of any primary, election, or referendum.”   It’s the “Any task” language which worries officials:  Would stuffing envelopes or directing traffic outside the building require a sworn election official?  

All Voting is Local Wisconsin said the questions were QUOTE “. . . thinly veiled attempts to restrict voting rights and undermine the very foundations of our democratic system.” 

Wisconsin citizens can register in person until March 29th.  We have the questions and how to register at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
BallotPedia – Wisconsin Question 1, Ban on Private and Non-Governmental Funding of Election Administration Amendment (April 2024)
BallotPedia – Wisconsin Question 2, Only Designated Election Officials to Conduct Elections Amendment (April 2024)
Wisconsin Public Radio – Private funds and elections: What voters need to know about the April 2 referendums
Bolts Magazine – Ballot Measure May Scare Away the People Who Help Run Wisconsin Elections
WUWM – What to know about the constitutional amendments on the April 2 ballot
My Vote Wisconsin – How to vote in the 2024 Spring Election and Presidential Preference Vote

Groups Taking Action:
All Voting is Local Wisconsin, League of Women Voters WI, Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, ACLU WI

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #WIPolitics #ProtectPollWorkers  #SupportElections

The post April 2nd Wisconsin Ballot Measures Would Prohibit Outside Help & Funding, Hampering Small Town Elections appeared first on American Democracy Minute.