Maine Anti-Trans Sports Initiative Faces Legal Challenges Over Signature Gathering Violations

Augusta, Maine — May 13, 2026 — A citizen-led initiative to restrict transgender students’ access to school sports, bathrooms and locker rooms in Maine is now teetering on the brink of disqualification after a court hearing exposed widespread irregularities in signature collection. Legal experts and election officials are scrutinizing whether the campaign behind the measure, Protect Girls Sports, violated state laws—potentially leaving the controversial referendum off November’s ballot.

The initiative, titled “An Act to Designate School Sports Participation and Facilities by Sex”, requires schools to align sports teams, restrooms, and locker rooms with a student’s sex assigned at birth rather than gender identity. If approved by voters, Maine would become the first state to roll back such protections via a ballot measure.

Signature Collection Under Fire: Over 3,000 Signatures Questioned

At a hearing before the Maine Secretary of State’s Office on May 12, attorneys for the campaign’s opponents presented evidence suggesting systematic failures in how signatures were gathered. Witnesses testified that petition forms were left unattended, exposing them to potential fraud. While the Secretary of State’s Office had previously certified over 71,000 signatures—far exceeding the required 67,682—legal challenges now focus on the validity of 330 specific signatures, with broader concerns about whether thousands more may be invalid.

Attorney Christopher Dodge of Elias Law argued during the hearing that the evidence demonstrated the initiative had “fallen very far short” of the legal threshold. “Once the secretary considers all the facts, the ballot initiative in fact did not qualify,” Dodge stated, according to court documents filed with the Secretary of State’s Office.

Maine’s election laws require that signatures be collected by certified canvassers and submitted under strict oversight. Violations—such as unattended forms, improper handling, or duplicate submissions—can invalidate entire batches. The current legal battle hinges on whether these infractions were widespread enough to disqualify the initiative entirely.

Legal Battle: Voters Sue Over Signature Fraud Allegations

Three Maine residents—Jane Gilbert (Augusta), Mark Sayre (Portland), and Kaitlin Webber (Lewiston)—filed a lawsuit in Cumberland County Superior Court on March 30, arguing that the signature-gathering process was riddled with errors. Their claims include:

• Unattended petition forms: Witnesses reported seeing forms left in public spaces without supervision, raising concerns about forgeries or coercion.
• Out-of-state canvassers: Some signature collectors were not properly certified to operate in Maine, a violation of state election law.
• Duplicate signatures: Multiple instances of the same person’s name appearing on different forms suggest systematic overcounting.

The lawsuit cites Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ initial certification of 71,033 valid signatures out of 79,692 submitted—well above the 67,682 threshold. However, plaintiffs contend that thousands of those signatures were collected improperly, potentially leaving the initiative short of the required total.

Bellows’ office has not yet ruled on the latest challenges, but legal experts warn that even a partial invalidation could derail the measure before voters ever see it.

What’s Next for the Anti-Trans Sports Initiative?

The Secretary of State’s Office is expected to issue a decision in the coming weeks. If the initiative is disqualified, Maine voters will not have the chance to weigh in on the measure this November. Supporters of the initiative have vowed to appeal any adverse ruling, while opponents argue the process was so flawed that the referendum should never have advanced.

This case underscores growing legal battles over ballot initiatives targeting transgender rights, with similar challenges emerging in other states where conservative groups have pushed for restrictions on trans athletes in school sports.

Key Takeaways

• The Maine anti-trans sports initiative’s future hinges on whether 330 disputed signatures (and potentially thousands more) are deemed invalid.
• Legal challenges cite unattended petition forms, improper canvassers, and duplicate signatures as evidence of fraud.
• If disqualified, Maine would avoid becoming the first state to roll back trans sports protections via a ballot measure.
• The case highlights broader concerns about the integrity of signature-gathering processes in high-stakes referendums.

FAQ: What You Need to Know

1. What would the initiative do if passed?

The measure would require Maine schools to designate sports teams, bathrooms, and locker rooms based on a student’s sex assigned at birth, rather than gender identity. This would effectively bar transgender girls from competing on female teams and using female facilities.

2. How many signatures are needed to qualify?

Maine requires 67,682 valid signatures from registered voters to place a citizen initiative on the ballot. Initially, over 71,000 were certified, but legal challenges now question the validity of hundreds—or possibly thousands—of those signatures.

3. Who is behind the initiative?

The campaign is led by Protect Girls Sports, a conservative group that has pushed similar measures in other states. The organization has faced criticism for its signature-gathering practices, including allegations of coercion and improper handling of petitions.

4. Could this happen in other states?

Yes. Similar legal battles are unfolding in states like Florida, Texas, and Idaho, where conservative groups have filed initiatives to restrict trans athletes in school sports. Courts in those states are also scrutinizing signature collection methods for potential violations.

5. What happens if the initiative is disqualified?

If the Secretary of State’s Office rules that insufficient valid signatures were collected, the measure will not appear on the November ballot. Supporters could attempt to gather new signatures, but the timeline is tight for a November election.

Looking Ahead

As Maine’s legal process unfolds, the case serves as a critical test for how strictly states enforce ballot initiative rules—particularly when high-stakes social issues are at play. For transgender advocates, the outcome could set a precedent for future challenges to similar measures nationwide. For opponents, it presents a rare opportunity to block a policy shift before it reaches voters.

One thing is clear: the fight over trans rights in school sports is far from over.