A new investigation by The Maine Wire has uncovered evidence that noncitizens, including illegal immigrants, have been voting in Maine elections since 2016. The report suggests that as many as 40% of noncitizens living in the state may have cast ballots or had ballots cast in their names in 2024.
Examining records from MaineCare and the state’s Central Voter Registration (CVR) system, The Maine Wire found that 10 of 25 noncitizens enrolled in MaineCare were also registered to vote. Eight of them had voted in past elections, despite being ineligible. These individuals were categorized under MaineCare’s “Legal Alien” or “Other” classifications, which include Green Card holders, Temporary Protected Status recipients, and illegal immigrants—all of whom are prohibited from voting under both state and federal law.
Maine law strictly prohibits noncitizens from registering to vote or casting a ballot. It is also illegal for anyone to assist a noncitizen in voting if they are aware of their ineligibility. Despite these restrictions, the investigation found at least one illegal immigrant registered as a Democrat and voted in the 2024 Democratic primary.
The full extent of noncitizen voting remains unclear due to limited access to state and federal data. However, The Maine Wire suggests the issue may be widespread. The 2022 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) reported that 20,137 noncitizens over the age of 18 resided in Maine, with 7,659 in the Second Congressional District and 12,478 in the First Congressional District.
Election security advocates have long warned about vulnerabilities in voter registration systems that could allow noncitizens to cast ballots. The findings from Maine raise concerns about the potential for similar issues in other states, particularly those with lax voter ID laws or automatic registration policies. Calls for stronger safeguards, including stricter voter verification measures and increased transparency in election data, are likely to intensify as the 2024 general election approaches.
Concerns over election integrity have grown as states continue to grapple with illegal voting. This report raises serious questions about voter registration oversight in Maine and whether sufficient safeguards are in place to prevent illegal ballots from being cast.
