Secretary of State Shenna Bellows Responds to Oregon Victory over DOJ

Augusta – Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows released the following statement in response to Judge Mustafa Kasubhai’s oral ruling that the U.S. Department of Justice cannot force Oregon to hand over personally identifiable voter data. Maine and Oregon were the first two states sued by the DOJ for refusing the Trump administration’s illegal order. 

“The case in Oregon yesterday showed what we’ve always known: the best way to deal with a bully isn’t to give in, it’s to say hell no. I was proud to tell President Trump and the DOJ to jump in the Gulf of Maine because I will never compromise when it comes to protecting Mainers. I look forward to a similar result in our own case.”

ICYMI from Mother Jones: Maine’s SOS Bellows Leading Charge to Protect Voters’ Personal Information from Trump’s DOJ

Bellows: “The election deniers are now ascendant in the federal government.”

Augusta – In case you missed it, new investigative reporting from Mother Jones highlights how election deniers at the Department of Justice are taking unprecedented steps to target Secretary of State Shenna Bellows as part of their efforts to disenfranchise voters, and how Bellows is leading the national fight to protect voters’ personal information and voting rights. 

In recent months, Maine and Secretary of State Bellows have been one of the first states targeted by this frivolous DOJ lawsuit.  This is noteworthy but not surprising after Bellows tried to remove Trump from the ballot after January 6th. But Mainer’s know that Secretary Bellows will never back down from a fight on their behalf. 

Read More:

Mother Jones: Your Private Data Is Building Trump’s Voter Purge Machine
By Abby Vesoulis and Ari Berman
December 5, 2025

• Bellows, a spunky, no-nonsense 50-year-old who grew up in a log cabin without running water, already had received a litany of demand letters, public records requests, and lawsuits throughout her five years serving as the top election integrity official in Maine

• The September legal complaint was an escalation of a yearslong coordinated effort by conservatives to obtain voter roll data from numerous states, compare it to incomplete datasets they’d found on the commercial market, then attest that mismatches between the two are clear evidence of people illegally voting.

• “The election deniers are now ascendant in the federal government,” says Bellows, who spent eight years as the executive director of the Maine ACLU before assuming her current post. “These requests are not unlike the requests that the organizations they used to be affiliated with have asked for years.” But unlike conservative legal organizations, she adds, “the Department of Justice has the power to investigate, prosecute, and place people in jail.”

• Bellows believes Maine was among the first two states to be sued “because of animus”—also known as old-fashioned retribution. The Justice Department already has tried to retaliate against Trump’s political enemies, such as former FBI Director James Comey… Bellows, though lesser known, is likely on the administration’s radar for other reasons, too. Citing the 14th Amendment’s clause barring officials who “engage in” insurrection from holding future office, she attempted to remove Trump from Maine’s 2024 presidential ballot based on his connection to the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.

• Responding to that previously unreported accusation [from PILF], Bellows called its claim a “damned lie from an organization that cares more about conspiracy theories than election integrity.”...In February 2025, the state’s election division canceled 180,584 inactive voter registrations—the largest bulk removal in nearly 20 years. 

• “These unprecedented demands for vast amounts of voter data are part of a larger pattern of actions indicating a reckless grab for power over American elections,” Bellows says.

ICYMI: “Bellows Says She Won’t Back Down After Clashes” With Trump Administration [Portland Press Herald]

“Bellows is the only one who has had high profile clashes with the president and his administration”

Augusta – In case you missed it, new reporting from the Portland Press-Herald is highlighting how different gubernatorial candidates would respond to Donald Trump. Mainers have come to count on Shenna Bellows for doing the right thing- even when it’s hard. 

Read More:
Portland Press Herald: How will Maine’s next governor work with Trump?
By Rachel Ohm
December 1, 2025

• As Maine secretary of state, Democrat Shenna Bellows made a controversial decision to keep Donald Trump off 2024 ballots in the presidential election. More recently, she told his administration to “jump in the Gulf of Maine” in response to requests for voter information.

• The top Democrats vying to succeed her have been uniformly critical of Trump, though Bellows is the only one who has had high-profile public clashes with the president and his administration.

• In 2023, Bellows, as secretary of state, issued a decision to keep Trump off the presidential ballot citing his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the Capitol and a constitutional amendment that prohibits insurrectionists from holding office.

• I’m the only candidate in this race that has experience standing up to Trump,” Bellows said. “I’ve been doxed, swatted, attacked and I’ve never, and will never, back down.”

• At the same time, Bellows said that like Mills she would work with Trump if it would benefit Maine. “The philosophy that has governed my entire career is, ‘No permanent friends and no permanent enemies,'” she said. “I’m willing to work with anyone who will deliver for Maine.”

ICYMI: Secretary Bellows rolls out online renewal for REAL ID

As Secretary of State, Sec. Bellows has led a massive government modernization process to make life better for Mainers. 

Augusta – Earlier this week, Secretary Bellows launched a new effort to allow Mainers to renew REAL IDs online instead of having to visit the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Secretary of State Bellows has undertaken numerous government modernization projects to improve customer service for Mainers, including appointments at the BMV,  electronic lien and titling and automatic voter registration. As governor, Secretary Bellows will expand her modernization efforts across state government to continue to meet Mainers where they are and make government work better to make life easier for everyone. 

See below for coverage highlights: 

Spectrum News: Amid long lines at the BMV, Maine launches REAL ID online renewal
Susan Cover 11/18/25

• It just got easier to renew your REAL ID. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced Monday that the Bureau of Motor Vehicles has expanded online services so Mainers can renew their REAL ID without coming into an office.

Maine Public: BMV launches online service to renew REAL ID

Kaitlyn Budion 11/17/25 

• Bellows said the service had a soft launch on Wednesday, and its first user logged in at 3:23 a.m. Thursday. Bellows said when staff reached out, they learned that the user was a shift worker.

• "She had just gotten off the night shift needed to renew her REAL ID and was able to do it in minutes instead of going to the BMV motor vehicle branches," Bellows said. "This is what Mainers expect from their government, and we are so proud to be able to launch this new, more modern, efficient service."

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows Announces Support for Yes on 2 of “An Act to Protect Maine Communities by Enacting the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act.”

Secretary Bellows joins the majority of Mainers who support red flag laws and calls on all Gubernatorial candidates to make clear their stance on this critical issue.

Augusta – Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has announced her support for “An Act to Protect Maine Communities by Enacting the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act,” which will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot. 

“Today, I’m joining the majority of Mainers in my support of Question 2, to bring extreme risk protection orders to our state,” said Secretary Shenna Bellows. “The tragedy in Lewiston, which changed Maine forever, was preventable, and this law will save lives. Maine has a strong tradition of responsible gun ownership, and question 2 is consistent with that tradition, while keeping our state safe. Mainers deserve to know where the next Governor will stand on this critical issue”.  

ICYMI: Trump’s Justice Department sues Maine for sensitive voter-list data; Bellows: “We won’t back down.”

Secretary Bellows repeats earlier calls to “go jump in the Gulf of Maine” in response to DOJ overreach. 

AUGUSTA, Maine — Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it was bringing a frivolous and unprecedented lawsuit against Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows for refusing to turn over Mainers’ personal voter data. 

Despite dozens of other states, including some Republican-led states, refusing to comply with the DOJ’s dangerous overreach, a lawsuit was filed against only Maine and Oregon. While the Secretary’s leadership against the Trump administration has made her a political target, she was clear: “We won’t back down,” Bellows said.

Echoing her response to past requests from the DOJ, Secretary Bellows repeated her directive to the Trump administration: “Go jump in the Gulf of Maine.”

Background: 

• The Trump administration and its allies have launched a multipronged effort to gather data on voters and inspect voting equipment, sparking concern among local and state election officials about federal interference ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

• Secretary Bellows received national attention as she was one of the first secretaries to reject the original request, telling the administration to “go jump in the Gulf of Maine.” 

• The Maine GOP called for her resignation for failing to bend to the overreaching Trump administration, but she has stayed focused on protecting Maine’s privacy. 

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows Announces Commitment to Tribal Sovereignty Bill on Day One

Secretary Bellows calls on all gubernatorial nominees to pledge to introduce a bill to grant full tribal sovereignty to the Wabanaki Nations on day one of their administrations. 

Augusta – Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows today announced a public commitment to passing tribal sovereignty.

“I’ve told the Chiefs, and I’m proud to say it publicly: it is long past time that we pass a tribal sovereignty bill in Maine and fulfill our legal obligations to the Wabanaki people. When elected, I’ll work with the chiefs to draft legislation that they would be happy with and will introduce it as a governor’s bill on day one. This issue is not partisan and I hope that all of my opponents will join me in making this commitment,” said Secretary Shenna Bellows. 

Secretary Bellows has a long history championing tribal sovereignty, first at the ACLU and then as a state senator. 

• Secretary Shenna Bellows received the Tribal Champion Award from the Wabanaki Alliance in 2020 [Legistorm bio] "These are the legislators who worked in concert with the tribes to achieve the tribes’ legislative goals. These legislators went above and beyond to ensure fairness for the tribes in Maine by fighting for legislation to provide same or similar sovereignty as the nearly 500 other tribes across America. To these legislators we say – Woliwon (thank you)." [Wabanaki Alliance 129th Legislative Scorecard]

• 2020 quote on sovereignty bills: "I think we have an opportunity to rectify an historic wrong," Bellows said, "and to try to recognize Maine's tribes in the way that tribes in other states are recognized." [MPR]

• From a 2022 story on her goals as Secretary of State for 2023-2024: "In addition, Bellows has pursued improvements within the state archive system, which is also under the jurisdiction of the secretary of state. One initiative on that front has been reaching out to the tribal historic preservation officers with the goal of collaborating more closely with the Wabanaki and being thoughtful about how to highlight Maine’s history, even the painful aspects." 

• As Secretary of State, her office supported legislation to restore tribal treaty language to printed copies of the Maine Constitution and Shenna testified in support of the bill 

• 2024: Supported creation of Office of Tribal State Affairs housed in Department of Secretary of State [Spectrum News]

ICYMI: Secretary Bellows protects Mainers – Tells Trump Administration “Go Jump in Gulf of Maine”

Maine won’t turn over personal info on voters, election administrators

Augusta – Earlier today Secretary Bellows told the Trump DOJ to “Go Jump in the Gulf of Maine” in response to their letter her office received requesting the Maine voter registration list among other personal data. 

Early coverage

Maine Morning Star: Trump administration requested voter data. Secretary Bellows says, ‘Go jump in the Gulf of Maine’

Emma Davis, 7/29/25

• The U.S. Department of Justice asked Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows to provide access to the state’s voter registration list and other sweeping election data. Bellows told Maine Morning Star she will respond in the next few days by telling the DOJ that it does not have the right to such information.

• “The federal government has overstepped its bounds,” Bellows said. “We will be denying their request for the citizen voter information of every Mainer.”

• “Jen Lancaster, communications director for Democracy Maine... described the probes as ‘a nefarious data grab’ that is likely intended to target groups that have already been subject to other data probes by the Trump administration, such as immigrants. ‘We hope that our election officials, if it came down to being pushed to share that sensitive data, we would hope that they resist that,’ Lancaster said.” 

Bangor Daily News: Shenna Bellows rejects Trump administration’s request for Maine voter data

Billy Kobin, 7/29/25

• Maine will not turn over voter registration data that President Donald Trump’s administration has been seeking from states, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said Tuesday.

• Pushback has come from both red and blue states, as the Republican secretary of state in neighboring New Hampshire also declined the Trump administration’s request last week by citing current statutes and cybersecurity concerns.

• “Go jump in the Gulf of Maine,” Bellows said of her message to the Justice Department. 

• “The DOJ doesn’t get to know everything about you just because they want to,” Bellows said.

Portland Press Herald:  Maine rejects Justice Department’s request for all voters’ personal info, list of election officials

Dylan Tusinski, 7/29/25

• Bellows, who is also a Democratic candidate for governor, said the Trump administration is overstepping its bounds, empowering false narratives and “trying to change the topic away from the Epstein files.” “Article 1 of the Constitution places the states — not President Trump, not the federal government — in charge of federal elections,” she said at a press conference Tuesday. “The DOJ doesn’t get to know everything about you just because they want to.”

• The American Civil Liberties Union of Maine said the DOJ’s actions both now and then are part of “a clear pattern of intimidation.” “This letter also fuels false narratives that sow distrust in our elections. Maine elections are safe, secure, and accessible, and that’s why Maine consistently has some of the highest voter turnout,” said Samuel Crankshaw, the group’s communications director. “Our government should focus on helping more people exercise their fundamental rights.”

Never Backing Down: Secretary Bellows previously drew national attention for ruling that Donald Trump was not eligible for the ballot in Maine based on his role in the January 6th insurrection. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Bellows for Maine Releases “No Shortcuts” Launch Video

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 2, 2025

CONTACT:
Press@shennabellows.com 

Bellows for Maine Releases “No Shortcuts” Launch Video

“This is a moment that calls for leadership, boldness, action.”

Augusta, ME: A week after launching her campaign for governor and raising $200,000, the Bellows for Maine campaign is releasing its launch video, “No Shortcuts,” highlighting Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ working class background and outlining her vision for Maine.

“From my childhood in Hancock County to the Secretary of State’s office I’ve always been guided by the values my parents taught me: work hard, no shortcuts,” said Shenna Bellows. “With a greedy unelected billionaire in Washington demolishing our country, we need leadership, boldness, and action to meet this moment. I’m honored to have the support of so many Mainers already and look forward to earning your votes.”

Last Wednesday, Bellows announced her campaign for Governor at two events in Hancock and Augusta surrounded by hundreds of family, friends, and supporters. 

The Bellow for Maine launch video includes footage and audio from the Hancock and Augusta campaign events and highlights Bellow’s working class background, her experience growing up in rural Maine without electricity and running water, and the values her parents taught her: to work hard and take no shortcuts, to be honest, and to take care of her community.

Bellows speaks of her leadership in the marriage equality campaign at the ACLU, her record fighting for abortion access and reproductive freedom, her success in winning property relief as a state senator, her role improving services for Mainers at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and her decision to remove Donald Trump from the ballot last winter.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT 

Secretary Bellows: Now more than ever we need a new day in America. We need new leadership.

And I’m proud to announce that I am Shenna Bellows and I’m running for Governor of the great state of Maine. 

 Growing up in Maine, like so many families, we didn’t have it easy.

We didn't have running water or electricity until I was in the fifth grade. But somehow, my parents never made us feel poor. 

My dad was a carpenter who worked hard to support us.

My mom worked factory jobs making light bulbs and Christmas wreaths.

My parents taught me that if you want something, you work hard. No shortcuts. No excuses.

And while we’re paying our taxes or helping our parents measure out their medications, our country is being demolished by a greedy, unelected billionaire who thinks his dollars are more powerful than our voices

Right now we need leaders who will meet the moment.

Leadership was when I won a state senate seat that voted for Donald Trump and voted for me that same year.

I ran on promises to fight for property tax relief and safe drinking water. And I delivered to my district…and I was re-elected time and time again.

Leadership was stepping up as Maine’s Secretary of State. I brought online appointments to the BMV so people can get in, get out, and get home.

And above all, leadership means doing what is right, even when it’s hard. 

Last winter, I issued a decision that declared Donald Trump ineligible to be on the ballot because of his incitement of the January 6th insurrection. 

News Clip: Maine’s top election official has now disqualified Donald Trump from the ballot in that state…

Secretary Bellows: And because of that decision, my family and I were targeted, threatened, and harassed.  

But I stayed in office and did my job…because Mainers elected me to do right by them, to uphold the constitution and the law of the land.

 As your next Governor, I’ll fight for affordable housing, and good paying jobs to help working families prosper. I’ll fight for a fair system where the wealthy pay their fair share, and we do right by working people and small business owners. I’ll fight to always keep our kids, people with disabilities and seniors safe. 

This is a moment that calls for leadership, boldness, action. 

Are you with me?

Shenna Bellows Background:

Bellows grew up in Hancock County. At the age of four, her family bought a plot of land in the town of Hancock and spent their first summer living in a tent and the first winter living in the basement. Eventually, Bellows’ father built a log cabin for them, but they did not have running water or electricity in that home until she was in 5th grade.

Her father was a carpenter, and her mother worked as a waitress and in a lightbulb and wreath factory to make ends meet, but they still struggled financially. Bellows worked her way through high school and college as a waitress, babysitter, retail worker, lab research assistant, Subway Sandwich Artist, and in the kitchen at the local lobster pound.

Early in her career, as the Executive Director of the ACLU in Maine, Bellows organized successful campaigns for Maine Choice Coalition and the Coalition for Maine Women to defeat Paul LePage’s attacks on abortion and contraception in 2011. The same year, she co-chaired the statewide Protect Maine Votes campaign to preserve same day voter registration. The following year, she worked to improve consumer privacy, specifically to protect Mainers’ private cell phone data. She helped lead Mainers United for Marriage over the course of seven years to pass same-sex marriage protections in Maine via a popular vote in 2012.

In 2016, Bellows ran for the State Senate in Kennebec County in a district won by Donald Trump. She was re-elected in 2018 and 2020. During her time in the State Senate, she helped pass legislation to: 

• Provide property tax relief for Maine residents

• Streamline medical licensing to bring more doctors to the state

• Ensure equal pay for women

• Provide “Breakfast after the Bell” for Maine students, a program to feed students breakfast at school

• Protect and expand Meals on Wheels for seniors

• Protect workers’ compensation and establish paid sick leave through bipartisan reforms.

In 2021, she was sworn in as Maine’s first woman Secretary of State. As Secretary of State, Bellows has focused on making government work better for Mainers and modernizing the office. Under her leadership, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles began using online appointments so people can get in, get out, and get on with their busy lives. Bellows implemented online voter registration, and automatic voter registration at the BMV, making it easier for Mainers to make their voices heard. Under her leadership, Maine led the nation in voter participation in 2022.

ICYMI: Shenna Bellows Announces Campaign for Governor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 27, 2025

CONTACT:
Press@bellowsformaine.com 

ICYMI: Shenna Bellows Announces Campaign for Governor

Augusta, ME: Yesterday, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced her campaign for Governor of Maine in two events surrounded by hundreds of family, friends, and supporters. Following a morning event in Hancock, Maine - Bellows’ hometown - she also announced her candidacy to a group of supporters in Augusta.

LAUNCH RECAP:

Portland Press Herald: Shenna Bellows announces campaign for Maine governor 

Bellows, 50, said her humble beginnings and professional career… position her to protect Maine families and push back against what she sees as the harmful policies coming out of Washington, D.C.

“We’re in this era of oligarchy, where the billionaires in Washington, D.C., are stripping the government for parts, and people here in our state are truly struggling,” Bellows said in an interview Tuesday.

Bellows grew up in the small town of Hancock and now lives in Manchester, which are both in the more conservative 2nd District. She noted she lived in a tent at the age of 4, after her parents bought a plot of land in Hancock and her father, who was a carpenter, built a log cabin from trees they harvested onsite.

Bangor Daily News: Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows will run for governor in 2026
Bellows, who became Maine’s top elections official in 2021 and the first woman to hold the role after serving two terms in the Maine Senate, had been widely viewed for months as a candidate to replace Mills, a Democrat who will wrap up her second and final term next year.

Maine Public: Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announces campaign for Maine governor 

"Seniors, veterans and workers are being targeted by Washington D.C. and no one down there is going to save us," she said. "It's time. We the people here in Maine are going to have to step up and protect ourselves and take care of our own."

Maine Morning Star: Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows officially announces bid for governor

“Because while we’re paying our taxes or helping our parents measure out their medication, our country is being demolished by a greedy, unelected billionaire who thinks his dollars are more powerful than our voices…Who thinks the value of his stock portfolio matters more than the values of our community,” said Bellows.

The Ellsworth American: Shenna Bellows announces she is running for governor

“Maine is the best place on earth,” said Bellows on Wednesday morning. “Maine values and our way of life are worth fighting for.”

Lewiston Sun Journal: Shenna Bellows announces campaign for Maine governor 

Spectrum News: Bellows announces run for Maine governor

Describing herself as a “Downeast dirt road Democrat,” Bellows told supporters at the Viles Arboretum in Augusta that she will fight for the middle class.

“Our farmers, our fishermen, our nurses, our carpenters, our teachers, they’re the drivers of our economy, the pillars of our community and the people we need government looking out for and fighting for and that is what I will do for you as your next governor,” she said.

NewsCenter Maine: Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announces bid for governor

Those attending the announcement said they feel Bellows is the right fit for the Blaine House.

“I’m excited that we could have in Maine an example of the best of everything we believe is good in our country in one person, and she will be a bright shining light,” Ellen Dohmen said.

WVII: Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announces campaign for governor of Maine 

A high profile candidate has officially entered the race for the 2026 gubernatorial election in Maine…

 WABI: Shenna Bellows formally announces run for governor of Maine

In 2021, Bellows was sworn in as Maine’s first female Secretary of State. 

"...I think that Shenna can take that to the next level and that's really what I'm looking for," said Hancock resident Carol Lowrie.

"We're in a really challenging moment for our democracy and our economy, working families are really struggling, we need bold leadership that will step up to meet the moment," said Bellows.

WMTW: 'We need a new day': Secretary of State Shenna Bellows launches campaign for Maine governor

"I believe every Mainer deserves a home because everyone deserves a safe place to sleep at night,’ Bellows said Wednesday. She said she also believes every child deserves a good education and that ‘our entrepreneurs need bridges not barriers to success."

Bellows also talked about access to health care and the cost of medication at both her events on Wednesday.

"Good health and wellness is a human right. Nobody in this country should be sick because they are poor or poor because they are sick.”

WGME: Shenna Bellows announces run for Maine governor 

The DownBallot: Morning Digest: First major Democrat joins race for Maine's open governorship 

Photos from Hancock

Photos from Augusta

Shenna Bellows Background: 

Bellows grew up in Hancock County. At the age of four, her family bought a plot of land in the town of Hancock and spent their first summer living in a tent and the first winter living in the basement. Eventually Bellows’ father built a log cabin for them, but they did not have running water or electricity in that home until she was in 5th grade.

Her father was a carpenter and her mother worked as a waitress and in a lightbulb and wreath factory to make ends meet, but they still struggled financially. Bellows worked her way through high school and college as a waitress, babysitter, retail worker, lab research assistant, Subway Sandwich Artist, and in the kitchen at the local lobster pound.

Early in her career, as the Executive Director of the ACLU in Maine, Bellows organized successful campaigns for Maine Choice Coalition and the Coalition for Maine Women to defeat Paul LePage’s attacks on abortion and contraception in 2011. The same year, she co-chaired the statewide Protect Maine Votes campaign to preserve same day voter registration. The following year, she worked to improve consumer privacy, specifically to protect Mainer’s private cell phone data. She helped lead Mainers United for Marriage over the course of seven years to pass same-sex marriage protections in Maine via a popular vote in 2012.

In 2016, Bellows ran for the State Senate in Kennebec County in a district won by Donald Trump. She was re-elected in 2018 and 2020. During her time in the State Senate, she helped pass legislation to: 

• Provide property tax relief for Maine residents

• Streamline medical licensing to bring more doctors to the state

• Ensure equal pay for women

• Provide “Breakfast after the Bell” for Maine students, a program to feed students breakfast at school

• Protect and expand Meals on Wheels for seniors

• Protect workers’ compensation and establish paid sick leave through bipartisan reforms.

In 2021, she was sworn in as Maine’s first woman Secretary of State. As Secretary of State, Bellows has focused on making government work better for Mainers and modernizing the office. Under her leadership, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles began using online appointments so people can get in, get out, and get on with their busy lives. Bellows implemented online voter registration, and automatic voter registration at the BMV, making it easier for Mainers to make their voices heard. Under her leadership, Maine led the nation in voter participation in 2022.

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Learn more online at BellowsForMaine.com