The Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, received these challenges and will check if they follow state rules. If they do, there will be public hearings. Ethan Strimling, a former mayor, and two ex-lawmakers, Tom Saviello and Kimberly Rosen, wrote a letter challenging Trump’s appearance on the ballot. Mary Anne Royal and Paul Gordon also sent letters to Bellows, questioning Trump’s presence on the ballot. The Secretary of State’s office will review these challenges on Monday to make sure they meet all the requirements.
This comes as Trump faces challenges in many states, with at least 32 having filed objections. So far, none have been successful. In Maine, the challenges argue that Trump violated the 14th Amendment, which says people who engage in rebellion or insurrection can’t hold office. Strimling, Saviello, and Rosen claim Trump incited violence, going against his promise to support the Constitution.
Gordon argues Trump broke the 22nd Amendment by claiming he won the 2020 election. This amendment limits presidents to two terms. Royal’s challenge doesn’t cite the 14th Amendment but says Trump should be disqualified for not stopping the Capitol assault.
The Trump campaign has not commented on these challenges. Under state law, only registered voters in Maine can file challenges, and they must be submitted in writing within five days after the deadline for ballot access petitions.
If a challenge is valid, the Secretary of State has seven days to hold a public hearing and five more days to make a decision. State law allows for appealing the ruling in court. Trump is one of six Republican candidates qualified for the March primary ballot in Maine. The others include Doug Burgum, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Ryan Binkley, and Vivek Ramaswamy. Burgum has suspended his campaign, and Asa Hutchinson did not submit petitions.
Chris Christie’s campaign, who submitted signatures, is challenging the process in court, arguing that the Augusta City Clerk’s Office didn’t properly review signatures. Hutchinson’s campaign did not respond to an email about their ballot attempt.
