Maine voters sent a powerful message this November: we believe in fair and free elections. Together, we defeated Question 1 and protected absentee voting, proving once again that when Mainers stand up for democracy, we win. People power — your power — made this victory possible. And, as we celebrate this victory, we know the fight for a more true democracy is never over.
We knew 2025 would come with challenges. Within the first days of the new administration, President Trump began working to undermine our elections and make it harder to vote. The onslaught was breathtaking. From unconstitutional executive orders to the Department of Justice attempting to seize voter data, the intent is clear: to dramatically alter our democracy.
People power shapes our government, drives our organization, and it’s how we fight back when our democracy is threatened. This work is not possible without your contribution.
It was all-hands-on-deck to defeat Question 1, the voter suppression referendum, this year. Leading up to Election Day, Democracy Maine stepped up to knock on doors. We spoke with community groups across the state, targeting Mainers who would have been impacted by the legislation. We wrote to our local papers. We participated in televised debates. With our efforts combined, we defeated Question 1. Maine people stood up for voting rights.
The fight doesn’t end there, and we need your support. While we are proud of our grassroots organization and the dedication that volunteers and members pour into the work, none of it is possible without your contribution. Donate now, and our Board and friends will DOUBLE your gift.
When the Trump administration came for AmeriCorps and dismantled the country’s flagship community service agency, it also disrupted our youth civic engagement program. We want to nourish intergenerational organizing. How can we help young people grow their civic knowledge and skills with illegal disruptions like these? We went to court — and won.
When the Department of Justice (DOJ) demanded full access to sensitive data on the Maine voter registration rolls, we sounded the alarm. The DOJ cannot legally take private information and use it to target vulnerable members of our communities. Maine declined to comply with the request, but the DOJ has since filed a lawsuit against the Secretary of State. Even with limited funds for legal support, we counteracted by filing a motion to intervene as a defendant. We are going to court — again.
We are ambitious for 2026. And we radically hold on to hope. We have an agenda to expand Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) to gubernatorial and state legislative elections, ensuring that candidates win majority support. Your contribution will also keep us on the leading edge of policy development in voting rights, election systems, campaign finance reform, and more.
Your $1,000, $500, $250, or $50 contribution, coupled with our Board and Friends match, enables us to keep up our defense and protect Maine voters.
These are challenging times, but Maine has a strong history of showing the nation what’s possible when people stand together. We’ve protected absentee voting, defended democracy in the courts, and expanded the promise of fair elections. Protecting and promoting democracy takes all of us, and our people, like you, are ready. With your continued support — people power — we’ll keep building a government that truly represents and works for all of us.