Politics
Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places
Bobby Charles defended his proposal to deploy federal agents as a measure to prevent voter intimidation and illegal voting, while state officials criticized the plan as likely illegal.
The short version
- Bobby Charles, Maine's Republican nominee for governor, stated in an August audio recording that he plans to ask White House border czar Tom Homan to deploy ICE agents and U.S. Marshals to polling places before the midterm elections.
- Democratic officials, including Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, pushed back against the proposal, stating that federal law prohibits federal agencies and the military from stationing armed officers at polling sites.
- Charles defended his comments by stating the deployment would be intended to prevent violence, intimidation, and illegal voting.
Key facts
- During an August 20 event, Maine Republican gubernatorial nominee Bobby Charles said he would appeal to White House border czar Tom Homan to deploy ICE agents and U.S. Marshals to polling places three to four weeks before the midterm elections.[Associated Press]
- Charles defended his proposal by asserting that state and local authorities should maintain communication with federal officials to prevent violence, intimidation, and illegal voting.[Associated Press]
- Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and the Maine Democratic Party criticized the comments, with the party calling the plan a blatant attempt to intimidate voters and likely illegal.[Associated Press]
- Federal law prohibits military personnel and federal agencies from stationing armed officers or troops near polling sites.[Associated Press]
- The Department of Homeland Security did not address whether officials had spoken with political campaigns about election security, but DHS officials have previously stated they do not plan to send ICE agents to polling locations.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- It is unclear whether Department of Homeland Security or White House officials will officially respond to or accommodate Charles' request once it is made.[Associated Press]