A legislative proposal aimed at reshaping voting laws nationwide has drawn mixed reactions, particularly from Maine’s political sphere. Despite a decisive rejection by Maine voters last year to implement a photo ID requirement for voting, Sen. Susan Collins has endorsed the SAVE Act, a bill backed by former President Donald Trump, which seeks to enforce such restrictions.
In a recent fundraising email, Collins declared her support for the SAVE Act. This proposed legislation mandates voters across the U.S. to present a photo ID before voting and limits mail-in voting options. Additionally, it requires proof of citizenship for voter registration, demanding documents like a passport, birth certificate, or military ID.
“I announced that I will vote for the SAVE America Act because the law and the Constitution are clear: Citizens of other countries should not be voting in American elections,” Collins stated in her email.
This aligns with Trump’s stance, as he has urged House Republicans to pass the bill during a recent policy summit, claiming, “Our elections are crooked as hell, and you can win—not only win elections over that and not only win future elections—but you’ll win every debate because the public is really angry about it.”
However, findings from the Department of Homeland Security indicate that instances of noncitizen voting are extremely rare and do not influence election outcomes. Noncitizens are already prohibited from registering or voting in most elections.
The SAVE Act successfully passed the House mainly with Republican support on February 11. Yet, it faces a significant hurdle in the Senate, where it requires a 60-vote majority to bypass the filibuster, unless Republicans consider suspending it, which is under discussion.
Senator Collins could play a pivotal role if Republicans decide to circumvent the filibuster. Meanwhile, voting rights advocates caution that the SAVE Act might endanger the voting rights of over 21 million Americans. Women who have changed their names post-marriage are particularly at risk due to potential mismatches in identification documents.
Maine’s Democratic Governor Janet Mills, who is challenging Collins for her Senate seat in the upcoming election, has criticized Collins for her stance. Mills stated on February 14, “The right to vote is the foundation of American democracy, and Maine is proud to have one of the highest voter participation rates in the nation. But Susan Collins is once again appeasing Republican leadership and caving to pressure by backing a dangerous Trump-backed voter suppression bill that will disenfranchise voters across Maine and America.”
Another Democratic contender, Graham Platner, has also voiced opposition, warning in a Facebook video, “Under this terrible bill, if you get married and change your name—or if you can’t find your passport—you could be turned away from the polls.”
Collins stands as the lone Senate Republican up for reelection in 2026 from a state that Trump did not carry in the 2024 election.
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