AUGUSTA — Maine election officials will soon consider a challenge to the signatures submitted for a November vote on transgender sports participation and bathroom access.
The May 12 hearing follows a recent Superior Court ruling in which Justice Deborah Cashman sent the case back to the Secretary of State’s office to issue a new decision on whether enough valid signatures were gathered to put the question before voters.
Groups seeking to put an initiative on the ballot must submit at least 67,682 signatures. In February, a group called Protect Girls Sports in Maine turned in what they described as a number of signatures that “far exceeded” the threshold.
A month later, the Secretary of State’s office said it found 71,033 valid signatures but also invalidated 8,659.
Three Mainers, led by Jane Gilbert of Augusta, filed suit claiming that circulators did not personally witness all signatures, that they submitted false oaths and affidavits and validated forged signatures, according to the lawsuit.
An attorney for Protect Girls Sports in Maine said in legal documents that the group “expended considerable time and resources to ensure that sufficient numbers of valid signatures were gathered.”
Leyland Streiff of Protect Girls Sports in Maine turned in signatures earlier this year to get a question on the November ballot. (Spectrum News file photo)
The proposed measure requires schools to designate all sports teams as male, female or co-ed. It also requires public schools to maintain separate restrooms, locker rooms and shower rooms for girls and boys.
Supporters say the initiated bill seeks to ensure that female high school athletes have a level playing field and private spaces. Opponents say the measure is unnecessary and harmful for transgender students and would burden public schools.
At the hearing next week, parties to the case will be able to present oral testimony and witnesses, according to the Secretary of State’s office. Chief Deputy Secretary of State Katherine McBrien will preside at the hearing.
The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. in Room 127 of the State House and will be livestreamed on the Secretary of State’s YouTube page.