ACLU of Maine

Know Your Rights: Back to School - ACLU of Maine Politicians are attacking students' and teachers' rights throughout the country, including here in Maine – but as the Supreme Court ruled in 1969, students do not "shed their constitutional rights to…

Teachers and staff: as the Trump administration carries out a "mass deportation" agenda, make sure you're prepared to protect your immigrant students' rights.

See our full guide covering the rights of students, teachers, and staff ⤵️

PBS News Hour | How Trump sanctions imposed on the ICC are taking its toll | Season 2025 How sanctions imposed by Trump are taking a toll on the International Criminal Court

Trump’s sanctions against the ICC silence Americans trying to help investigate and prosecute the gravest international crimes – so we sued.

The First Amendment protects our clients' right to speak openly and share information with the ICC. See more about their work and our lawsuit ⤵️

On Trans Day of Remembrance, My Grief is My Power | ACLU As the trans community remembers those we’ve lost, I find strength in understanding why the grievous injustices that continue to harm our community must be stopped.

On this Transgender Day of Remembrance, we mourn those whose lives were lost to anti-trans violence.

We honor those we lost by continuing our fight for justice.

BREAKING: A federal court blocked Texas from implementing its new congressional map that discriminates against voters of color for the 2026 midterm elections.

This ruling reaffirms that voters get to choose our politicians, not the other way around.

THURSDAY: Join us for this week's Great Falls Forum on immigration, featuring our policy director, Michael Kebede!

Info + more >> lplonline.org/events/17028/

Rockland Council Gives Initial OK to Law to Limit City's Assistance to Immigration Officers ROCKLAND — The City Council gave preliminary approval Monday night, Nov. 10, to a local ordinance that bars municipal employees from assisting federal immigration agents unless there is a judicial

Earlier this week, Rockland's council took the first step to limit the city’s role in federal immigration enforcement. A final vote is expected on 12/8. Rockland is showing that Maine communities do not have to be complicit in the president's abuses of power and violations of our rights.

We had a great time with over 200 guests celebrating Professor Anna Welch, the 32nd recipient of our Justice Louis Scolnik Award! Read more about Professor Anna Welch's work as the founding director of Maine Law's Refugee and Human Rights Clinic >> ACLUMaine.org/2025ScolnikAward

Join us to celebrate on Wednesday! Tickets, student tickets, and sponsorships are on sale until Monday, Nov. 10, at 11:59pm. Buy your tickets now >> ACLUMaine.org/2025ScolnikAward

Defending Due Process in the Face of ICE in Maine Maine towns and cities do not have to be complicit in the president’s abuses of power and violations of our rights.

Donald Trump promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in US history. Now, ICE and CBP have violated the rights of thousands of immigrants and US citizens.

But our communities are not powerless. See how Maine's elected leaders can take action ⤵️

We're so excited to honor Professor Anna Welch with our 32nd Justice Louis Scolnik Award! But you don't have to take our word for it. See what her students and colleagues have to say.

Buy tickets to celebrate with us on Wednesday, Nov. 12 >> ACLUMaine.org/2025ScolnikAward

We're celebrating the 32nd Justice Louis Scolnik Award on Weds., Nov. 12! We're thrilled to honor Prof. Anna Welch, founding director of Maine Law's Refugee and Human Rights Clinic.

Join us over cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and music. Tickets on sale through 11/10 at ACLUMaine.org/2025ScolnikAward.

Continuing a proud tradition, voter turnout remained high. No matter who or what you vote for, your vote is your power – and it’s crucial for our democracy.

Voters confirmed what we know to be true: Voting is a right, not an obstacle course filled with unnecessary restrictions.

VICTORY: Maine voters have overwhelmingly rejected Question 1. It would have upended absentee voting and implemented some of the strictest mandatory voter ID requirements in the nation. By defeating Question 1, Maine voters have maintained access to the ballot box.

If you have any questions or encounter issues while voting, contact the Election Protection Hotline by calling or texting 866-OUR-VOTE (866-867-8683).

1-866-OUR-VOTE (English)
1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español)
1- 888-API-VOTE (Asian languages)
1-844-YALLA-US (Arabic)

Voting with a mail-in/absentee ballot?

📫 Track your ballot to make sure it was received >> tinyurl.com/4s4xp99t
🗳️ If you haven't returned your ballot, take it to a drop box or your municipal office by 8pm TODAY.
✅ If you lost, damaged, or don't have time to return your ballot, go vote in person.

There's still time to VOTE NO on Question 1! Polls are open until 8pm, plus you can register to vote at your polling place or municipal office. Find your polling place, see what you need to register, and make a plan to vote >> ACLUMaine.org/Vote

Voter Information Center Make a plan to vote, track your mail-in ballot, and more.

Did you vote with a mail-in/absentee ballot? All ballots must be received by 8pm TODAY. Visit ACLUMaine.org/Vote to track your ballot and make sure it's counted.

If you haven't returned your ballot, it's too late to mail it. Take it to a ballot drop box or your municipal office by 8pm.

It's Election Day! Your voice is your power. Make a plan to vote, VOTE NO on Question 1, and spread the word. Visit ACLUMaine.org/Vote to learn more.

Tuesday is Election Day! Make a plan to vote and VOTE NO on Question 1.

Visit ACLUMaine.org/Vote to:
✅ Know your rights
✅ Find your polling place
✅ View a sample ballot
✅ Track your mail-in/absentee ballot
✅ Learn more about Question 1

Protect Voting Rights in Maine: Vote NO on Question 1 Election Day is Tuesday, November 4. You can help protect voting rights by voting NO on Question 1, a proposal that would make it harder for thousands of people across Maine to cast a ballot.

Election Day is Tuesday. Save absentee voting and vote NO on Question 1. It would:

❌ Eliminate ongoing absentee voting for seniors and people with disabilities
❌ Cut early voting
❌ Invalidate tribal and student IDs for voting
❌ Restrict ballot drop boxes

Read more + make a plan to vote ⤵️

Are you voting by mail? All absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4. Visit ACLUMaine.org/Vote to track your ballot or find a secure ballot drop box near you.

Questions or concerns? Contact the Election Protection Hotline by calling or texting 866-867-8683.

ACLU of Maine Investigating Unlawful CBP Traffic Stop and Detention The organization filed a complaint to uncover information about an unlawful traffic stop involving overreach, racial profiling, and retaliation against a Maine resident.

Read more and see our full complaint ⤵️

The law is clear:
❌ CBP cannot stop drivers solely for a traffic violation
❌ CBP cannot stop people based on their race or ethnicity alone
✅ All people have a First Amendment right to document law enforcement as long as they are not interfering

FILED: We're demanding more information after CBP pulled over Hispanic motorists and assaulted a bystander who was legally observing the stop – just as the First Amendment allows.

TODAY: Join the ACLU for Defending Freedom Against Authoritarianism live on YouTube at 5pm. Watch live >> tinyurl.com/47ab8nx6

Houlton officials used surveillance cameras equipped with facial recognition technology to track people and vehicles. This clearly violated state law restricting when state and local governments can use this technology. Only after Houlton residents threatened to sue did the town remove the cameras.

2025 Annual Report: Freedom is an Act Catch up on the latest news from the ACLU of Maine's year of resilience and resolution.

It's been a busy year at the ACLU of Maine! Check out the biggest highlights in the 2025 Annual Report: Freedom is an Act
✅ Reflections from our executive director
✅ The year by the numbers
✅ Highlights from the courts and State House
✅ Original art by Portland-based artist Ryan Adams

MONDAY 10/27: Join us for an update on birthright citizenship. Hear from the legal teams involved in our coalition's lawsuit challenging Trump's illegal executive order restricting birthright citizenship, a blatant violation of the 14th Amendment.

Info + registration >> bit.ly/brc-webinar10-27

Wells Police Department cancels contract with ICE • Maine Morning Star Wells Police Department canceled its agreement with federal immigration authorities.

NEW: Following widespread community backlash, the Wells Police Department has withdrawn from its agreement with ICE. When we show up and speak out, we can win. Thank you to the Wells community for inviting us to support this community-led effort.