Latest news with #Bellows
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Maine Voter ID supporters challenge state's ballot language
May 12—A group campaigning to require a photo identification when voting and tighten absentee ballot access is suing the Secretary of State's office over the wording of a statewide referendum headed for the fall ballot. Supporters say the official wording misrepresents the proposal and "buries its core intent behind a string of technical and inflammatory clauses." Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and other opponents of the referendum have criticized advocates for promoting the measure only as a voter ID mandate when the proposal would also make it harder to vote absentee and make other changes to elections laws that officials say would be difficult and expensive to implement. Bellows released the final wording of the ballot question last week: "Do you want to change Maine election laws to eliminate two days of absentee voting, prohibit requests for absentee ballots by phone or family members, end ongoing absentee voter status for seniors and people with disabilities, ban prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes, limit the number of drop boxes, require voters to show certain photo ID before voting, and make other changes to our elections?" The Voter ID for ME campaign said the question "misrepresents the proposal and buries its core intent behind a string of technical and inflammatory clauses" and "fails to meet the constitutional and statutory standards of clarity, accuracy, and impartiality." "Maine voters deserve a clear, honest question — not a partisan editorial from an official who's already made her opposition clear in the press and in legislative testimony," campaign manager Alex Titcomb said in a written statement. Bellows could not be immediately reached for a response to the challenge in Cumberland County Superior Court. Bellows has been the target of criticism of Republicans after she tried to exclude Donald Trump from Maine's 2024 ballot citing the anti-insurrection clause of the U.S. Constitution and Trump's role in the Jan. 6, 2021 riots at the U.S. Capitol. She reversed course after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a similar case that state officials don't have the power to exclude a nominee from the presidential ballot. Bellows came under renewed scrutiny last month, when she formally announced that she was running in the Democratic primary for governor. Republicans called on Bellows to resign as the state's top election official, but she refused, citing past precedent. Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, who is helping lead the campaign for voter ID, accused Bellows of "misusing her power to mislead the public." "It's not just dishonest — it's undemocratic," Libby said in a written statement. The 11-page proposal, LD 1149,would require a photo ID at the polls or when a voter returns an absentee ballot, though it includes a religious exemption for those who object to being photographed. Acceptable IDs would include state driver's license or ID cards, a military ID, passport or a concealed weapons permit. It would not include student IDs. The proposal would also end the current practice of allowing absentee ballots to be requested by phone and by immediate family members, and would end a program that allows seniors and people with disabilities to receive absentee ballots for every election without making a special request each time. Additionally, the bill would prohibit municipalities such as Portland and Orono from having more than one drop box to collect absentee ballots. And it would require municipalities to have "a bipartisan team of election officials" to collect those ballots, rather than assigning the task to municipal clerks. The campaign to pass the measure has been fueled by a $500,000 donation from a national group, the Republican State Leadership Committee. The proposal drew strong opposition, including from Bellows and local elections officials, during a public hearing earlier this month. Opponents argued that Maine's elections are already secure and that the new requirements would only make it more difficult for some people to vote, including elderly residents, people with disabilities, people without reliable transportation, busy parents and shift-workers. They included AARP, the Maine Town and City Clerks Association, the Maine State Nurses Association, the Maine Education Association and the Maine Women's Lobby. Those who spoke in favor, mostly the Republican sponsors of the bills, argued they are commonsense reforms to increase confidence in elections. Libby noted that more than 171,000 voters signed the petition to place the question on the ballot, but opponents at the public hearing accused signature gatherers of only highlighting the proposal to show voter ID when casting a ballot, when the bill contained other sweeping reforms. "It is important that the legislators and the voters understand the comprehensive nature of the initiative that's before you," Bellows said at the May 2 hearing. This story will be updated. Copy the Story Link
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Milwaukee Admirals rise back up, force a game four against the Rockford IceHogs
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The Milwaukee Admirals didn't win the AHL's Central Division by accident. The Admirals reminded everyone Wednesday night how good they are by defeating the IceHogs 6-2 in game three of the AHL's Central Division Semifinals. The Admirals struck for three goals in the first period by Grigori Denisenko, Kieffer Bellows and Spencer Stastney. They added two more in the second by Bellows and Joakim Kemell to boost their lead to 5-0. The five goals were all scored on IceHogs goaltender Drew Commesso. Commesso had allowed only four guys total in the IceHogs previous four playoff games. The IceHogs got on the board in the final minute of the second period on a shorthanded goal by Zach Sanford. Samuel Savoie added another IceHogs' goal in the final period. Bellows had a hat trick for Milwaukee. He scored a goal in each period. There were a total of 80 penalty minutes assessed in the game. The IceHogs served 48 of them on 12 penalties. The IceHogs still have the series edge two games to one. They'll try again for the clincher Friday night in Rockford. The Admirals will try to even things up and force a game five on Sunday in Milwaukee. For highlights, watch the media player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Airport security to start asking for Real IDs on Wednesday; enforcement likely to lag
May 6—AUGUSTA — Maine officials said Tuesday they had not received a response to their appeal for a delay in enforcement at the state's airports when the federal Real ID deadline arrives Wednesday. But the Transportation Security Administration is expected to phase in the enforcement nationwide anyway and allow people to fly for a period, even if they don't have the federal identification. The TSA on Wednesday will begin asking all travelers over the age of 18 to show a Real ID or other form of federal identification, such as a passport, before flying on commercial airlines. The requirement has been in the works for 20 years as a way to improve security. Maine residents have been slow to get the new Real IDs, in part because of concerns about privacy. The low rate of compliance raised concerns about travel disruptions and airport delays if the mandate is strictly enforced. Last week, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and a bipartisan group of state lawmakers serving on the Transportation Committee sent a letter asking the TSA to conduct a soft rollout of the new requirement and not turn people away who don't have a Real ID. The group urged the TSA to give people warnings and ensure that passengers don't experience delays or miss flights. Although the state had not received a formal response as of Tuesday afternoon, the TSA seems poised to allow people without Real ID to fly. On Monday, the federal agency sent the state a copy of a warning notice they plan to give people without Real ID, according to a spokesperson for Bellows. The bright red flyer warns: "The ID you presented is NOT REAL ID-complaint. You will need a REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification for your next flight or you may expect delays." View this document on Scribd That is consistent with statements made Tuesday by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem before a congressional panel. Travelers who lack an identification that complies with the Real ID law "may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step," Noem said. "But people will be allowed to fly," she added. "We will make sure it's as seamless as possible." Bellows welcomed the news while also urging Mainers to make an appointment at their local Bureau of Motor Vehicles office to get their Real IDs. "We are relieved that, according to the flyer we received from the TSA, Mainers without a Real ID or passport will be able to fly at least in the near term and will receive a warning and may be subject to additional screening," Bellows said in statement to the Press Herald Tuesday. "We encourage traveling Mainers to go to for information and to make an appointment at their local BMV to get their Real ID when they get back." A TSA spokesperson did not respond to questions sent by email this week. Last week, the TSA indicated that it planned to enforce the Real ID requirement, noting that passengers without appropriate ID might be subject to additional security screening. "The Real ID Act was passed 20 years ago to address security vulnerability," a spokesperson said in a written statement. "This administration and (the) DHS secretary have determined that it's important that we keep the implementation date of May 7, 2025, and that we enforce the law." The warning notice provided to Bellows contains a QR code that loads a TSA website with information about acceptable identification and explains the process for passengers without an acceptable ID, including people in the TSA PreCheck program. A WARNING AND SPECIAL SCREENING It says passengers will receive a warning and possibly be directed to a special screening area, where they will undergo an identity verification process. Passengers whose identities are verified may also face additional security screening. Those whose identities cannot be verified will not be allowed to proceed. The TSA says it will accept proper identification, such as a passport, even if it has been expired for up to two years. As of May 1, only 29% of Maine's more than 1.71 million driver's licenses were Real IDs, according to the state. Maine residents have the choice of getting a standard license or one that meets Real ID security standards. That's up slightly from 27% in April, when Maine, along with Washington state, had the third-lowest percentage of residents with Real IDs. Only New Jersey (17%) and Pennsylvania (26%) had lower rates of Real ID uptake, according to an analysis conducted by CBS News. Thirty states have compliance rates under 70%, while a dozen states have rates above 96%. Noem said Tuesday that 81% of U.S. travelers have IDs that comply with the Real ID requirements. States have had about two decades to prepare for arrival of Real ID, which was introduced in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City. But opposition from privacy advocates, including in Maine, stalled the rollout from its original date of Oct. 1, 2020, to next week. Maine was one of the last states to comply with the federal mandate in 2018. Standards for a Real ID are consistent across the 50 states and involve a higher level of verification than standard driver's licenses or IDs. An individual must bring proof of identification and citizenship/lawful status, such as a certified birth certificate; two forms proving residency; and a Social Security number. Proof of any legal name changes must also be provided, if applicable. Real IDs, which have digital photos, can be used with facial recognition software. They also require the digital archiving of identity documents such as birth certificates or Social Security numbers. The Real ID license costs about $9 per year, or $10 for older adults; a Real ID nondriver card is $5 a year; and a passport costs $16.50 per year for the first 10 years and $13 annually after that. Copy the Story Link
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Maine seeks delayed enforcement of Real ID as deadline approaches
May 1—AUGUSTA — State officials are asking the Trump administration to delay the strict enforcement of a requirement that people show a Real ID or equivalent form of identification if they want to fly commercially starting Wednesday. But a spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration, which oversees airport security, threw cold water on the request shortly after it was announced Thursday, telling the Press Herald that the administration plans to enforce the law beginning May 7. Beginning Wednesday, Americans will need to present a Real ID, passport or other federally recognized identification to fly on commercial airlines or enter federal buildings. Maine officials worry that the mandate will create travel disruptions and airport delays without a phase-in period to give Maine residents more time to comply. A bipartisan group of Maine lawmakers and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said Thursday that they are asking federal authorities to phase in the enforcement and begin by issuing warnings to air travelers without a Real ID or other federally compliant identification, without interfering with their ability to travel. "We are very concerned," Bellows said at a news conference Thursday. "We want Mainers to be able to get to where they need to go." As of April 1, only 27% of the credentials issued by the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles were Real IDs, and it can take four weeks for someone to receive a Real ID in the mail after applying, according to state officials, who were mostly worried about people who don't travel frequently, or who need to travel because of an emergency. Maine, along with Washington state, has the third-lowest percentage of residents with Real IDs. Only New Jersey (17%) and Pennsylvania (26%) have lower rates of Real ID uptake, according to an analysis conducted by CBS News. Thirty states have compliance rates under 70%, while a dozen states have rates above 96%. Bellows, along with a bipartisan group of lawmakers serving on the Legislature's Transportation Committee, signed a letter Thursday asking the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the TSA to issue warnings to people who don't have a federally recognized IDs and allow them to travel. The effort appears to be a long shot. It's not clear whether the federal government is entertaining such requests. And Maine has been targeted for months by the Trump administration for defying the president's executive order on transgender athletes. Bellows said she has spoken with officials from other states who are also worried about travel impacts beginning next week. But she's not aware of any other states joining in Maine's request for a phased implementation of enforcement, or making their own request. "Today, Maine is taking a lead role," Bellows said. TSA NOT RECEPTIVE A TSA spokesperson did not sound open to Maine's request. "The REAL ID Act was passed 20 years ago to address security vulnerability," a spokesperson said in a written statement. "This administration and (the) DHS secretary have determined that it's important that we keep the implementation date of May 7, 2025, and that we enforce the law." Rep. Lydia Crafts, D-Newcastle, said that the TSA has indicated that people without compliant ID may still be allowed to travel, as long as they go through additional security screenings. But Crafts is concerned that such a process would cause longer lines and present a challenge at smaller airports like those in Maine. "We're concerned about the anticipated volume of extra screenings that may overwhelm TSA's capabilities, causing concerns for both safety and traveler convenience," said Crafts, who co-chairs the Transportation Committee. States have had about two decades to prepare for arrival of Real ID, which was introduced in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City. But opposition from privacy advocates, including in Maine, has stalled the rollout from its original date of Oct. 1, 2020, to next week. Maine was one of the last states to comply with the federal mandate in 2018. Bellows herself helped lead the charge against the Real ID mandate when she was executive director of the ACLU of Maine and a state senator. But in her current role, she has urged Mainers to comply with the requirement, saying some steps have been taken to address concerns about protecting people's personal information. The request comes as lawmakers are considering a bipartisan bill that would stop the state from issuing any additional Real IDs. That bill, LD 160, sponsored by Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, and five Democrats, was heard April 15, but the committee has yet to take action on it. DELAYS LED TO COMPLACENCY Sen. Brad Farrin, R-Norridgewock, said Maine's resistance to Real ID and repeated delays by the federal government have made many residents complacent. "I kind of relate this to the boy who cried wolf," Farrin said. "I think people got a little complacent. I think we have every intention to comply with Real ID. I just think there's a lot of Mainers, especially those in rural Maine, that have not either taken it seriously, or thought there was going to be another pause." Bellows said BMV staff have been working overtime to handle a surge of applications as the deadline approaches and other staff have been reassigned to help. But the agency is still not able to keep up with the demand, which means some residents may not get their IDs before they need them for travel. "We do think Mainers are making a very good-faith effort," Bellows said. "We see it in the lines at the BMV branches, but we only have so many staff, and we can only issue so many credentials." Bellows encouraged people who don't have immediate travel plans to make an appointment online to skirt the long wait times and obtain the card in the coming months. She said people with an appointment are usually finished within 10 minutes, while those without one could wait hours. Standards for a Real ID are consistent across the 50 states and involve a higher level of verification than standard driver's licenses or IDs. An individual must bring proof of identification and citizenship/lawful status, such as a certified birth certificate, two forms proving residency and a Social Security number. Proof of any legal name changes must also be provided, if applicable. Real IDs, which have digital photos, can be used with facial recognition software. They also require the digital archiving of identity documents such as birth certificates or Social Security numbers. The Real ID license costs about $9 per year, or $10 for older adults; a Real ID nondriver card is $5 a year; and a passport costs $16.50 per year for the first 10 years and $13 annually after that. Copy the Story Link
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Maine lawmakers hear proposal to have state stop issuing Real ID cards
Apr. 15—AUGUSTA — Lawmakers heard a proposal Tuesday to stop issuing driver's licenses and identification cards in Maine that meet strict new federal security standards known as Real ID. Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, sponsored a bill to repeal a Maine law that allows the secretary of state to issue state IDs that comply with the federal REAL ID Act, which critics say compromises privacy. The law was passed in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks to increase security on airplanes and in federal buildings, and involves a higher level of verification than standard driver's licenses or nondriver identification cards. But Libby said Tuesday that longstanding privacy concerns related to the law have only grown in recent years. "At its core, Real ID represents a dangerous consolidation of personal information that undermines the privacy of law-abiding Americans," she said during a public hearing before the Transportation Committee. Because she has been censured by the House, Libby can't speak on the House floor or vote on legislation, but is allowed to testify in committee. Libby and other supporters of the repeal (her bill, LD 160, includes five Democratic co-sponsors) said the Real ID law represents government overreach and raises concerns about data collection and use by the federal government and potential breaches. "Every time a Real ID is used — whether to board a plane or enter a federal building — a record can be created and uploaded to a federal system, building a detailed profile of individuals' movements and activities," said Sen. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, a co-sponsor of the bill. "Mainers value their privacy and do not want their personal data funneled into a national tracking system," she added. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat who previously pushed back on Real ID as a former state lawmaker and former leader of the ACLU of Maine, testified against the bill. She said that while she sympathizes with some of the reasons for the legislation, it would make Maine the only state unable to provide its residents with a federally compliant credential. That would force Mainers to submit their data to the federal government to fly domestically or enter military bases or other federal facilities, Bellows said. "Mainers who want a Real ID or who are required to get one by the federal government should not be prohibited from doing so," she said. Bellows said the only information the secretary of state's office currently transmits to the federal government when processing a Real ID are monthly numbers of Real IDs issued, though the office is required to maintain records of the documents people submit. Bellows said supporters of the bill are not wrong that when people use a Real ID, their information is captured by the federal government. "But opting out of Real ID here in Maine or prohibiting the Bureau of Motor Vehicles from providing a Real ID is not going to change that," she said. Standards for a Real ID are consistent across the 50 states and involve a higher level of verification than standard driver's licenses or IDs. To receive a Real ID, an individual must bring proof of identification and citizenship/lawful status, such as a certified birth certificate, two forms proving residency and a Social Security number. Proof of any legal name changes must also be provided, if applicable. Critics of Real ID have long raised concerns about personal privacy and increased governmental surveillance. In 2018, Maine was one of the last states to comply with the law's requirements for digital photos on state driver's licenses, IDs that can be used with facial recognition software, and the digital archiving of identity documents such as birth certificates or Social Security numbers, among other requirements. After years of delays, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said last summer that it will begin enforcing federal requirements for people over the age of 18 to present Real ID compliant identification at airport security stations and before entering federal buildings on May 7. Residents who don't get a Real ID from the state can still get through airport security or into federal buildings, but they will need to bring extra forms of federal identification, such as a passport, to meet the requirements. Bellows said Tuesday that since March the Bureau of Motor Vehicles has seen an increase in the number of people seeking Real IDs. While about 27% of all credentials issued by the BMV are Real ID compliant, 83% of people who sought driver's licenses or ID cards in April sought a Real ID, she said. "What we are seeing is that Mainers are making the decision that they want the Real ID if the federal government is going to prevent them flying domestically or entering a federal building without it," Bellows said. Copy the Story Link
