Full Breakdown
Maine Transgender Sports Referendum Fails to Meet Signature Threshold After Misconduct Review
5/22/2026, 5:56:33 AM
Revised Determination Undermines Ballot Initiative
A revised determination by Chief Deputy Secretary of State Kate McBrien concluded that the petition to place a referendum on the 2026 ballot—asking whether school sports participation and facilities should be designated by sex—failed to meet Maine’s constitutional signature threshold of 67,682. The decision, released May 21, 2026, reduced the valid signatures to 67,150, 532 short.
Funding, Legislative History, and Political Context
The referendum, funded by Republican donor Richard Uihlein ($800,000), sought to bar transgender girls from female school sports and related facilities. It entered Maine politics after a dispute between Gov. Janet Mills and former President Donald Trump and after a similar bill passed the House but failed in the Senate.
Principal Actors
Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (Democratic gubernatorial candidate) will issue the ruling. Chief Deputy Secretary Kate McBrien authored the revised determination. EqualityMaine and Maine Women’s Lobby, with campaign manager David Farmer, oppose the measure. Supporters include Republican candidate Ben Midgley and donor Richard Uihlein.
Signature Numbers
The petition required 67,682 signatures. It was initially certified with 71,033 valid signatures. After invalidating 12,542 signatures, the final count is 67,150—532 short. A 2025 poll showed 64 percent opposition to transgender female athletes.
Official Statements & Responses
Bellows must issue a ruling by Tuesday. The EqualityMaine–Maine Women’s Lobby coalition said it will continue to challenge the decision. A spokesperson for the pro-referendum group said it is reviewing the decision and preparing objections. Republican candidate Ben Midgley criticized the pending ruling, saying voters should decide.
Criticism & Opposition
The coalition condemned the use of paid, out-of-state signature gatherers and the donor’s failure to follow state rules, arguing the process undermined the petition’s legitimacy.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
One source cites “more than 12,000” invalid signatures, another lists 12,542, a minor discrepancy. No information on pending objections or court review is provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The paid, out-of-state signature gathers and the billionaire who paid to try to put this question on the ballot failed to follow the rules,” — David Farmer, Campaign Manager, EqualityMaine-Maine Women’s Lobby coalition
- “Maine people should be given the opportunity to vote on this common-sense measure that protects Maine girls,” — Ben Midgley, Republican gubernatorial candidate
- “The proposed revised determination would conclude that the direct initiative petition does not meet the constitutional threshold of 67,682 valid signatures and is therefore invalid,” — Kate McBrien, Chief Deputy Secretary of State
- “The evidence did not rise to the level of proving that either circulator engaged in forgery or other fraudulent conduct,” — Kate McBrien, Chief Deputy Secretary of State
What’s Next
Objections to the recommendation must be filed by 11:59 p.m. on May 23, 2026. Secretary Bellows is slated to issue a final ruling by Tuesday, May 28. Depending on the outcome of any objections or subsequent litigation, the referendum may be excluded from the November 2026 ballot.
