Action 113 Lawsuit outrage!
Background. In early January we told you about a voter suppression citizen initiative that had been gathering signatures during the primary back in June. (see Action 8: like all past Actions, you can find it at https://isledems.org/actionitems). We also provided an update on LD 1149, the legislation that would enact the ballot initiative (see Action 103). The bill was voted “ought not to pass” on May 14, which means it goes to the voters in November.
Now, the proponents have decided to sue the Secretary of State over the wording that would describe the initiative on the November ballot. They want the ballot question re-written. Clearly, they don’t want the wording to state frankly up-front the sneaky provisions that will suppress the vote. The language has been available since May 5. It reads:
"An Act to Require an Individual to Present Photographic Identification for the Purpose of Voting" “Do you want to change Maine election laws to eliminate two days of absentee voting, prohibit requests for absentee ballots by phone or family members, end ongoing absentee voter status for seniors and people with disabilities, ban prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes, limit the number of drop boxes, require voters to show certain photo ID before voting, and make other changes to our elections?”
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Alex Titcomb (of the “dinner table pac” and instigator of the initiative) Heather Sirocki (a former legislator), Kevin Murphy (supposedly a disabled plaintiff), George Colby (possibly the guy who resigned from a Selectman’s seat rather than face a recall due to racist remarks) and Randall Greenwood (current legislator until 2026; expects to run for office in the future). We haven’t found any background info on Kevin Murphy – it’s a common name - but all the rest are Republicans, of course. The legal team for the plaintiffs includes Patrick Strawbridge (not a surprise there, either – Federalist Society, clerked for Clarence Thomas, long record of supporting right wing causes in Maine).
Action: Since this is in the courts now, unless you are an “amicus curiae”, the best action for us ordinary citizens is to alert other voters to vote NO on the referendum in November. Inform them of the consequences of this referendum item, using the information that the Sec of State wrote about in the May 5 language! AND, write a letter to the editor. Also, remind Jared Golden he voted for the SAVE act – twice - and ask him what he thinks of this voter suppression effort. Will he answer the question?
Extra Credit:
Ø The complaint is here:
https://www.democracydocket.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-12-Complaint-Anti-voting.pdf
Ø Full text of bill is here:
https://www.maine.gov/sos/news/secretary-state-issues-final-wording-referendum-question
Ø About Patrick Strawbridge: https://fedsoc.org/contributors/patrick-strawbridge#:~:text=attending%20law%20school.-,Mr.,Creighton%20University%20School%20of%20Law
Ø About the petitioners:
Alex Titcomb: https://clubforgrowthfoundation.org/fellow/alex-titcomb/
Heather Sirocki: https://legislature.maine.gov/house/house/MemberProfiles/DetailsHistoricalView/145?showstatus=History&Legislature=127
George Colby: https://ballotpedia.org/George_Colby_recall,_New_Gloucester,_Maine_(2021)
Randall Greenwood: https://legislature.maine.gov/house/house/memberprofiles/Details/208
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