Maine election chief blocks transgender sports ban from 2026 ballot, nudging a 2027 comeback

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows removed the conservative referendum to ban transgender girls from female scholastic sports from the 2026 ballot after ruling more than 12,000 signatures invalid, leaving the measure roughly 500 short of the threshold; proponents can try again for 2027 with about 500 additional signatures. Circulator fraud and misconduct surfaced during court hearings, including unattended petition forms and forged signatures. Bellows said the decision was based on facts and staff briefs, not politics, and noted the measure would have barred transgender girls from private spaces as well. The referendum was largely funded by Republican donor Richard Uihlein; a 2025 poll showed 64% of Mainers opposed transgender female athletes competing in women’s sports, and the measure could still face appeals in court.