Susan Collins says she opposes Bobby Charles’ plan to invite ICE to Maine polls

Sen. Collins Opposes ICE Presence at Maine Polls Amid Gubernatorial Debate

BIDDEFORD, Aug. 26, 2026 – U.S. Senator Susan Collins told a gathering of the media this Monday that she does not support the idea of federal immigration authorities stationed at Maine voting sites during the November election. The remarks came amid a broader controversy sparked by Republican gubernatorial nominee Bobby Charles’ call to have U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in polling places.

Collins made her comments while touring the Volk Packaging Corporation in Biddeford, a local manufacturer that had welcomed her visit. She emphasized that ICE presence would “intimidate a lot of legitimate American voters” and “make them very uncomfortable.” The senator also noted that she had not yet spoken with Charles to understand his reasoning for the proposal.

Charles’ Proposal

Last week, Bobby Charles recorded a statement in which he said he intends to approach former Trump border czar Tom Homan and request that ICE and U.S. Marshals staff Maine polling booths. “I’m going to ask Tom… I’m going to make an appeal for ICE and Marshals to be at our voting booths,” Charles told supporters. He questioned whether “illegals who are being paid money” would welcome the move.

Charles’ campaign manager, Dale Crafts Jr., issued a statement explaining the candidate’s stance: “Bobby will do everything legally possible to prevent illegal voting in Maine, to make sure that Maine elections are decided by legal Maine voters. He will seek both state and federal assurances that those casting votes are legal.”

Political and Legal Reactions

The proposal drew swift criticism from several Maine Democrats. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said, “Bobby Charles can say whatever he wants, but he can’t change the Constitution or federal law.” She also highlighted that Maine law bars law‑enforcement officers from operating within 250 feet of a polling place unless specifically invited by an election warden, and that federal law likewise prohibits federal agents from staffing voting sites.

State Rep. Hannah Pingree, who is running against Charles and independent candidate Rick Bennett, called the idea “deeply disturbing” in a recent fundraising email. “It’s yet another example that Bobby Charles is too extreme for Maine,” she wrote.

Voter‑Verification Measures

While Collins expressed opposition to ICE staffing, she did affirm her support for tighter voter‑verification procedures. “Only Americans should be voting in American elections,” she said. Collins noted that Maine requires voters to declare U.S. citizenship and provide proof of residence when registering, though the state does not demand proof of citizenship at the polling place itself.

Broader Context

The debate arrives as the 2026 Maine gubernatorial race heats up. The Republican candidate’s proposal has raised questions about the balance between election security and voter access, while the Democratic camp stresses the constitutional and statutory limits on federal involvement in state elections.

The story remains developing as the election draws nearer.