Submit Public Comment
Here’s an overview:
The next phase in the process for the anti-trans ballot question is for the Office of the Secretary of State (SoS) to write the language for the question that will appear on the November ballot. The ballot question is a summary of the proposed law and the language can have a major impact on how voters vote.
The SoS has released the draft language and opened a public comment period to receive feedback before they publish the final question.
Join us in providing feedback on the draft question language to ensure maximum clarity and transparency for voters.
In case you missed it:
The ballot initiative “An Act to Designate School Sports Participation and Facilities by Sex” targets and aims to exclude transgender students from full participation in school and would hurt all Maine kids. It would create havoc for schools, and cost our communities. The measure is poorly defined, leaves out critical details, hides its unworkability for schools and costs for communities, and would ultimately cause chaos and harm for EVERY student.
And to make matters worse, the ballot measure is funded by an out-of-state billionaire seeking to influence Maine politics at the expense of our Maine kids.
We all want sports to be fair and athletes to be safe. But this initiative is a problem disguised as a solution - raising practical and legal issues that will have serious costs and consequences for Maine students, families, and schools.
The draft ballot language
State law requires the Secretary of State’s language to be concise and clear. The draft ballot question, as drafted by the Secretary of State, reads:
"Do you want to change civil rights and education laws to require public schools to restrict access to bathrooms and sports based on the gender on the child’s original birth certificate and allow students to sue the schools?”
The full text of the proposed legislation is available on the Citizen Initiatives page on the Secretary of State website, along with proponent information.
How to Submit Public Comment
The deadline for public comments is 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 7. All comments will be reviewed and considered before the ballot question is finalized by May 28.
Comments can be submitted through an online submission form, email or mail:
Use the online submission form available on the Secretary of State’s website.
Email PublicComment.SOS@Maine.gov using subject line "Public Comment – Referendum Question"
Mail comments to the Secretary of State, Attn: Public Comment, 148 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0148
What to Say in Your Public Comment
Note: Now is NOT the time to share your thoughts on whether you think passing the proposal is bad or good. This is just feedback about the wording of the question.
Your public comment should be focused on your feedback from your perspective as a voter. Read through the draft question and share your perspective on what you found clear or unclear, and/or what was included that you thought was important and if anything was not included that you thought should have been. We suggest you keep your comment concise and specific!
Here are a few ideas for what to include in your comment:
“As a Maine voter, I believe it is important that the final question include:
Specific reference to changing civil rights and education laws to properly acknowledge the significant changes to both sections of the law
References to restricted access to bathrooms
That the measure would allow for lawsuits against schools
Acknowledge that that proposal will affect EVERY student