Current:Home > InvestMaine must release voter rolls to conservative group, court says-LoTradeCoin
Maine must release voter rolls to conservative group, court says
View Date:2024-12-23 23:20:23
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A federal appeals court has ruled that Maine must release its voter list to a conservative-backed group that’s conducting independent audits, concluding that state restrictions on distributing the list violated the National Voter Registration Act.
The Public Interest Legal Foundation sued Maine over its decision to prevent the wholesale release of voter registration lists without restrictions, such as prohibiting the information from being published online.
Organization spokesperson Lauren Bowman said the group sued to ensure its researchers can compare voter rolls in one state against those in another and that it had no intention of publishing the rolls. PILF President J. Christian Adams called the decision issued Friday by the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston a “monumental victory for transparency in elections.”
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said she remains “deeply concerned” because voter information has been previously shared online, something state officials had argued could subject voters to harassment.
“Promises aren’t good enough,” said Bellows, a Democrat. “No Mainers should be afraid that by registering to vote that their information will be published online and that they’ll face threat, harassment and other harms.”
Baseless claims of widespread voter fraud are part of what’s driving efforts to obtain the rolls, leading to lawsuits over whether to hand over the data in several states, including New Mexico and Pennsylvania, in addition to Maine.
State election officials and privacy advocates have raised alarms about a push by several conservative groups to access state voter rolls, fearing that the lists could be used to intimidate voters or cancel registrations.
In New York, prosecutors sent a cease-and-desist order to the group New York Citizens Audit, demanding that it halt any “unlawful voter deception” and “intimidation efforts” after voters reported that so-called auditors were showing up on their doorsteps.
Maine historically provided voter registration lists to candidates and political parties before being sued in 2019 for failing to provide the rolls to the Public Interest Legal Foundation.
Rules governing voter lists vary by state. Nearly every state, including Maine, prohibits using the rolls for commercial purposes and several confine access to political candidates and parties for campaign purposes.
Maine still has some prohibitions, such as protecting the addresses of people who have received a protection-from-abuse order, Bellows said.
The state is still evaluating the impact of Friday’s court ruling.
“We will do everything in our power in accordance with the law and court decision to protect voter information from abuse,” Bellows said.
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Rafael dissolves into a low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico after hitting Cuba as a hurricane
- Ruby Franke's former business partner Jodi Hildebrandt pleads guilty to child abuse
- U.S. launches retaliatory strikes after drone attack on Iraq military base wounds 3 U.S. service members, Pentagon says
- Rare southern white rhinoceros born on Christmas Eve at Zoo Atlanta
- Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says next year will be his last in office; mum on his plans afterward
- These twins are taking steps for foster kids − big steps. They're walking across America.
- China reaffirms its military threats against Taiwan weeks before the island’s presidential election
- Iowa deputy cleared in shooting of man accused of killing grocery store worker
- Karol G addresses backlash to '+57' lyric: 'I still have a lot to learn'
- Put Your Gift Card to Good Use at Nordstrom's Half-Yearly Sale That Includes up to 70% off SKIMS & More
Ranking
- Oprah Winfrey denies being paid $1M for Kamala Harris rally: 'I was not paid a dime'
- Rare southern white rhinoceros born on Christmas Eve at Zoo Atlanta
- Jalen Milroe said Alabama's ex-offensive coordinator told him he shouldn't play quarterback
- 2023’s problems and peeves are bid a symbolic farewell at pre-New Year’s Times Square event
- COINIXIAI Introduce
- Recall of nearly 5 million portable blenders under way for unsafe blades and dozens of burn injuries
- Do ab stimulators work? Here's what you need to know about these EMS devices.
- Lulus’ End of the Year Sale Shines with $17 Dresses, $15 Bodysuits, $11 Tops & More
Recommendation
-
NFL overreactions: New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys going nowhere after Week 10
-
Old Navy’s Activewear Sale Is Going Strong & I’m Stocking Up on These Finds For a Fit New Year
-
Bills player Von Miller calls domestic abuse allegations made against him ‘100% false’
-
AP Week in Pictures: North America
-
Best fits for Corbin Burnes: 6 teams that could match up with Cy Young winner
-
Massachusetts lottery winner chooses $390,000 over $25,000-per-year, for life
-
'Sharing the KC Love': Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce romance boosts Kansas City economy
-
Paul Whelan, imprisoned in Russia for yet another Christmas, issues plea to Biden: He's the man that can bring me home