rights
Judge upholds decision to keep anti-trans referendum off Maine's ballot this year
By Alex Bollinger at LGBTQ Nation
· June 12, 2026
· 1 min read
A state judge in Maine agreed on Thursday that "Protect Girls' Sports," an anti-transgender activist group, tried to get a referendum on sports participation on the ballot this fall but failed to collect enough valid signatures. Earlier this year, Protect Girls' Sports, a campaign that was bankrolle
Why this matters
The ruling by Superior Court Justice Deborah Cashman to uphold the decision to keep the anti-trans referendum off Maine's ballot this year has significant implications for the state's LGBTQ+ community. By affirming the Secretary of State's decision to invalidate thousands of signatures due to potential fraud, the court is ensuring that the democratic process is protected from manipulation. The fact that signature collectors were paid $3 to $4 per signature raises concerns about the motivations behind the campaign and the potential for exploitation. The campaign's decision to continue appealing the decision will be closely watched, as it may ultimately end up before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. This case highlights the importance of rigorous signature verification processes in maintaining the integrity of the electoral system, particularly when it comes to issues that directly impact marginalized communities like transgender youth.
About this story
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Category: rights ·
Published: June 12, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A state judge in Maine agreed on Thursday that "Protect Girls' Sports," an anti-transgender activist group, tried to get a referendum on sports participation on the ballot this fall but failed to collect enough valid signatures. Earlier this year, Protect Girls' Sports, a campaign that was bankrolle
When was this published? This article was first published on June 12, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Alex Bollinger at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .