Published 6 hours ago • loading... • Updated 4 hours ago
Republican Nominee for Maine Governor Says He Wants ICE Agents at Polling Places in the State
Charles says he will seek federal help to deter illegal voting, while election officials and Democrats warn the plan could intimidate voters and violate federal law.
Maine Republican gubernatorial candidate Bobby Charles plans to ask White House border czar Tom Homan to send U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to Maine polling places in the weeks before the November election.
During an August 20 event in Arundel, Charles made these remarks to appeal to conservative supporters while distancing himself from President Donald Trump amid his race against Democratic candidate Hannah Pingree.
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, stated ICE agents are prohibited by law from being at polling sites, assuring Maine residents they can expect a free and secure election in November.
The Maine Democratic Party, through Executive Director Devon Murphy-Anderson, called Charles's plan a "blatant attempt to intimidate voters" and "likely illegal," describing him as a MAGA extremist.
Federal law prohibits armed federal agents at polling sites unless responding to specific threats, and officials have confirmed voting by noncitizens is exceptionally rare and punishable as a felony.