Brief
Troy Jackson rejects voter‑ID proposal in first Maine Senate debate with Susan Collins
Jackson argued the measure was unnecessary, while Collins said only Americans should vote.
By Felo News Desk · Published
In the first of four televised debates on Tuesday, Maine Senate candidates Troy Jackson and Susan Collins sparred over a proposed voter‑ID requirement.
What happened
Jackson, a former state Senate president and logger, opened by saying he often voted without an ID and questioned the need for additional proof of citizenship. Collins responded that "Only Americans should vote in American elections. I don’t think that’s too much to ask," emphasizing existing legal requirements.
What the reports add
The New York Post noted that Jackson leaned heavily on a large white binder of notes, glancing at it repeatedly, while Collins used a smaller folder and referenced it only a few times. The article also cited President Trump’s push for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require proof of citizenship, though the bill has stalled in the Senate.
What was said
"No, as a working logger, many times I went to the polls without my ID," Jackson told the audience, according to the Post. Collins countered, "Only Americans should vote in American elections. I don’t think that’s too much to ask," as quoted by the same outlet.
How it came about
The debate follows heightened national attention on voter‑ID laws, with a Pew Research survey last year showing 83% of respondents supporting such measures. Earlier this summer, New Jersey officials reported about 400 non‑citizens voting illegally after being mistakenly added to rolls, a controversy referenced during the discussion.
Key facts
- Troy Jackson opposed a voter‑ID requirement during his first Senate debate with Susan Collins. (nypost.com)
- Jackson used a thick white binder of notes, while Collins used a small folder. (nypost.com)
- President Trump has promoted the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to vote. (nypost.com)
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “Troy Jackson trashes voter ID requirement, relies on big fat binder of notes in first Maine Senate debate with Susan Collins”
