The Republican National Committee (RNC) has formally requested the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. This request follows a video in which Bellows acknowledged the presence of noncitizens on the state's voter rolls.
Explainer RNC Asks DOJ To Investigate Maine's Trump-Hating Election Chief
Documents obtained by The Federalist indicate that RNC legal staff have submitted a complaint to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Assistant Attorney General Michael Gates, alleging that Bellows has violated the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). The complaint claims that Bellows has not complied with requests for public records related to Maine's voter list maintenance system.
Bellows, a Democrat, previously attempted to remove then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump from Maine's 2024 GOP primary ballot. The complaint states that she has ignored requests from both the RNC and the DOJ for comprehensive records regarding voter list maintenance.
In a video clip shared by Libs of TikTok, Bellows stated, "I’m sure there are, um, in some isolated instances, some noncitizens may be on the rolls," raising concerns about the integrity of Maine's voter registration process.
The RNC's complaint highlights that Bellows has only provided limited information, such as policies and procedures, while refusing to disclose whether she will release more detailed records. Mandy Lester, chief counsel for the RNC, expressed concerns that Maine is not maintaining its voter list adequately.
The RNC argues that Bellows' actions contradict the NVRA's requirements for transparency and public accountability. The complaint cites a previous ruling by the First Circuit Court of Appeals, which affirmed that Maine's voter rolls are subject to public records laws under the NVRA.
Bellows has faced criticism for her handling of voter registration issues, including allegations of 18,000 deceased individuals and multiple registrations at the same address on Maine's voter list. J. Christian Adams, president of the Public Interest Legal Foundation, stated that Bellows treats transparency as a threat.
The DOJ has previously requested information from several states, including Maine, regarding their election processes. Bellows has publicly criticized the DOJ's request, calling it unconstitutional. The RNC believes that Bellows' actions warrant an immediate federal investigation into Maine's voter list integrity.
Bellows' office did not respond to inquiries from The Federalist regarding the allegations made in the RNC's complaint. The secretary's spokeswoman was reportedly attending an event focused on disinformation, limiting her availability for comment.
Why it matters
- RNC's request for DOJ investigation highlights concerns over Maine's voter registration integrity amid allegations of noncitizens on voter rolls.
- The complaint against Bellows underscores potential violations of the National Voter Registration Act, raising questions about transparency in voter list maintenance.
- Bellows' previous attempts to remove Trump from the ballot add a political dimension to the investigation, intensifying scrutiny of her actions.
What’s next
- DOJ to review RNC's complaint and may initiate an investigation into Maine's voter registration practices.
- RNC plans to follow up on the status of the investigation and may escalate pressure for transparency from Bellows.
- Bellows faces a deadline to respond to the allegations and provide requested records to the RNC and DOJ.
