--- title: "Maine GOP Governor Nominee Wants ICE Agents at Polling Places" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/maine-gop-governor-nominee-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/maine-gop-governor-nominee-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/maine-gop-governor-nominee-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/maine-gop-governor-nominee-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-08-26T23:05:12.498Z" source_reported: "2026-08-26T22:39:40.000Z" updated: "2026-08-26T23:05:12.498Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 57 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-26T23:00:32.773957+00:00" --- # Maine GOP Governor Nominee Wants ICE Agents at Polling Places *Bobby Charles's request draws criticism from Democrats and legal questions.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to named body, but relies on anonymous sourcing for some details. - Craft 57 of 100, higher is better. Quotes affected parties and names what is still unknown, but lacks clear separation of fact/comment. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headline promises more than the body delivers, with mild sensationalism in language. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Maine's Republican nominee for governor, Bobby Charles, said he plans to ask White House border czar Tom Homan to send U.S. Marshals and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to polling places in the state. - Charles stated his intention was to ensure open communication between state and federal authorities to prevent violence, intimidation, or illegal activity at voting locations. - Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and the Maine Democratic Party stated that federal agents are legally prohibited from being present at polling places and criticized the plan as an attempt to intimidate voters. - Department of Homeland Security officials have previously stated they do not have plans to send ICE agents to polling places. Bobby Charles, the Republican nominee for governor of Maine, has stated he intends to ask Tom Homan, the White House border czar, to deploy U.S. Marshals and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to polling places in the state. Charles made these remarks to supporters at an event on 20 August, according to audio obtained by the Associated Press. He indicated he would make this request three or four weeks before the midterm elections. Charles later explained his comments, stating that state and local election authorities should maintain open communication with federal authorities. The goal, he said, is to prevent violence, intimidation, and illegal activity at voting places. He added that all legally entitled voters should be free from intimidation, and those not legally entitled should not vote. ## Disagreement on legality and intent Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows stated that ICE agents are prohibited by law from being at polling places. The Maine Democratic Party criticized Charles' comments, describing his plan as likely illegal and a "blatant attempt to intimidate voters." The party's executive director, Devon Murphy-Anderson, called Charles an "extremist" who would do President Trump's bidding. The Associated Press reported that federal law prohibits military and federal agencies from placing troops or armed officers near polling sites, citing the Brennan Center. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mention the statement from Department of Homeland Security officials that they do not have plans to send ICE agents to polling places. Similarly, these digests do not include the explanation from Charles that his intention was to prevent violence, intimidation, and illegality at voting places. ## Who covered it Shares of the 37 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 41% (15) - Centre: 48% (18) - Right: 11% (4) 1 of 38 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-26T23:00:32.773957+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-26T23:15:16.705Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports led on Charles's statement that he would ask for ICE agents and U.S. Marshals to be present at polling places. These reports highlighted the criticism from the Maine Democratic Party, which called the plan "likely illegal" and a "blatant attempt to intimidate voters." Several left-rated outlets noted that Charles's comments were made in the context of Donald Trump's ongoing claims about election security and voting by noncitizens. The Associated Press report, which was widely syndicated, was a primary source for many of these outlets. Some reports mentioned that Charles is an attorney who previously served as U.S. assistant secretary of state under President George W. Bush. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports also focused on Bobby Charles's statement about requesting federal agents at polling places. These reports frequently included the condemnation from the Maine Democratic Party and the concerns raised by gubernatorial candidate Hannah Pingree. The legal prohibitions against federal agents at polling sites, as stated by Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, were also a common feature. Some digests noted that Charles made the request to White House border czar Tom Homan. ### Right - Right-rated reports stated that Bobby Charles, the Republican nominee for governor, supports the presence of ICE at polling sites. These reports noted that Charles would personally ask White House border czar Tom Homan to dispatch federal officers to Maine's polling locations for the midterm elections. The Washington Examiner reported that Charles was coming under fire from Democrats after revealing his plan. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - low: 1 - high: 24 - unknown: 2 - veryHigh: 11 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [WHDH](https://whdh.com/news/republican-nominee-for-maine-governor-says-he-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places-in-the-state) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - Boston News, Weather, Sports - [Talking Points Memo](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/where-things-stand/maine-gop-gov-nominee-tests-whether-trumps-noncitizen-voting-delusions-are-a-winning-strategy) — Maine GOP Gov Nominee Tests Whether Trump’s Noncitizen Voting Delusions Are a Winning Strategy - [Newsmax](https://newsmax.com/newsfront/bobby-charles-maine-ice/2026/08/26/id/1267437) — Maine GOP Gov. Nominee to Ask for ICE at Polls - [Portland Press Herald](https://pressherald.com/2026/08/26/bobby-charles-says-he-will-ask-trump-border-czar-to-send-ice-to-maine-polls) — Bobby Charles says he will ask Trump border czar to send ICE to Maine polls - [Central Maine News](https://centralmaine.com/2026/08/26/bobby-charles-says-he-will-ask-trump-border-czar-to-send-ice-to-maine-polls-2) — Bobby Charles says he will ask Trump border czar to send ICE to Maine polls - [Lewiston Sun Journal](https://sunjournal.com/2026/08/26/bobby-charles-says-he-will-ask-trump-border-czar-to-send-ice-to-maine-polls-2) — Bobby Charles says he will ask Trump border czar to send ICE to Maine polls - [Washington Examiner](https://washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/state/4701812/bobby-charles-supports-ice-presence-polling-sites-maine-election) — GOP nominee for Maine governor supports ICE at polling sites - [WMTW](https://wmtw.com/article/charles-asks-ice-officers-maine-polls/73533506) — Gubernatorial candidate Charles asks for ICE officers at Maine polls - [The Hill](https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/6053299-gop-nominee-maine-ice-elections) — Maine Republican governor nominee requests ICE at polling places during midterms - [Raw Story](https://rawstory.com/midterm-elections-2026-2677782459) — GOP nominee’s stunning 'secret' caught on audio as 'likely illegal' scheme takes shape - [Cecil Daily](https://cecildaily.com/ap/nation/republican-nominee-for-maine-governor-says-he-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places-in-the/article_4d7b417b-ce78-5698-8ced-7d7f58044b22.html) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - [Beckley Register-Herald](https://register-herald.com/apnewsflow/nation/republican-nominee-for-maine-governor-says-he-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places-in-the/article_2f1dfd02-6180-5810-a54b-c06e89a6f7d8.html) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - [KHQ Right Now](https://khq.com/politics/republican-nominee-for-maine-governor-says-he-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places-in-the/article_2732ffee-555e-57ba-8de3-609a64687e25.html) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - [Ottumwa Courier](https://ottumwacourier.com/news/national_news/republican-nominee-for-maine-governor-says-he-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places-in-the/article_87c5eb03-0938-5243-a70c-2b8e3c008bfd.html) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - [Rutland Herald](https://rutlandherald.com/ap/national/republican-nominee-for-maine-governor-says-he-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places-in-the/article_61372b5a-abd2-58fa-a863-0785efe53df7.html) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - [Mankato Free Press](https://mankatofreepress.com/news/state_national_news/republican-nominee-for-maine-governor-says-he-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places-in-the/article_ddbf3ded-6766-5745-9b86-75dca8528c65.html) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - [The Daily Advance](https://dailyadvance.com/news/national/republican-nominee-for-maine-governor-says-he-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places-in-the/article_325b4cd2-99c3-5c83-9dd2-66a4bdf81477.html) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - [Hometown News LP](https://hngnews.com/nation_world/republican-nominee-for-maine-governor-says-he-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places-in-the/article_02e72284-79ce-5a38-bc87-54e7f0a0a37e.html) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - [Beloit Daily News](https://beloitdailynews.com/news/national-news/republican-nominee-for-maine-governor-says-he-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places-in-the/article_5ddf6314-8f48-5c16-ad14-ebb432f15189.html) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/maine-governor-bobby-charles-ice-polling-sites-tom-homan-b3039928.html) — Maine GOP governor candidate says he wants Trump’s border czar to send ICE to polls - [NBC News](https://nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/gop-nominee-maine-governor-calls-ice-agents-state-polling-places-rcna594589) — GOP nominee for Maine governor calls for ICE agents at state polling places - [Boston.com](https://boston.com/news/politics/2026/08/26/republican-nominee-for-maine-governor-says-he-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places-in-the-state) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - [The Record](https://troyrecord.com/2026/08/26/bobby-charles-ice-at-polling-places) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - [Loonie Politics](https://looniepolitics.com/republican-nominee-for-maine-governor-says-he-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places-in-the-state) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/republican-nominee-for-maine-governor-says-he-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places-in-the-state) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - [Newsday](https://newsday.com/news/nation/bobby-charles-audio-ice-polls-maine-governor-q03978) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/bobby-charles-audio-ice-polls-maine-governor-4e77e0f06a28d2a8f42b51ce28a91677) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - [Madison Courier](https://madisoncourier.com/ap/news/republican-nominee-for-maine-governor-says-he-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places-in-the/article_4ecf1eb7-5048-5b91-a364-74080563693e.html) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - [Jonesboro Sun](https://jonesborosun.com/news/national/republican-nominee-for-maine-governor-says-he-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places-in-the/article_ef5ed38b-c2f6-5c5f-aad8-e33cb2bc116d.html) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - [The Lawton Constitution](https://swoknews.com/ap/national/republican-nominee-for-maine-governor-says-he-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places-in-the/article_089c78fb-8d45-563c-beb2-36247f02628f.html) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - [Joe.My.God.](https://joemygod.com/2026/08/maine-gov-nominee-ill-ask-homan-for-ice-at-polls) — Maine Gov Nominee: I’ll Ask Homan For ICE At Polls - [NBC Boston](https://nbcboston.com/news/politics/republican-nominee-for-maine-governor-says-he-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places-in-the-state/4004557) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - [The Record](https://therecord.com/news/world/united-states/republican-nominee-for-maine-governor-says-he-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places-in-the-state/article_b084d375-9aeb-586f-908e-2b36f6e68674.html) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - [NiagaraFallsReview.ca](https://niagarafallsreview.ca/news/world/united-states/republican-nominee-for-maine-governor-says-he-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places-in-the-state/article_0ecf0907-06dc-523d-9093-786a2eecb3d6.html) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/08/26/republican-nominee-for-maine-governor-says-he-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places-in-the-state) — Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state - [Political Wire](https://politicalwire.com/2026/08/26/gop-candidate-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places) — GOP Candidate Wants ICE Agents at Polling Places - [Maine Public](https://mainepublic.org/politics/2026-08-26/bobby-charles-says-hell-ask-trumps-border-chief-to-send-ice-agents-to-maine-polls) — Bobby Charles says he'll ask Trump's border chief to send ICE agents to Maine polls - [Bangor Daily News](https://bangordailynews.com/2026/08/26/politics/elections/bobby-charles-donald-trumps-border-czar-send-ice-to-maine-polls-joam40zk0w) — Bobby Charles said he'll ask Donald Trump's border czar to send ICE to Maine polls ## Questions **What did Bobby Charles say he would ask for?** Bobby Charles, the Republican nominee for governor of Maine, stated he would ask White House border czar Tom Homan to send U.S. Marshals and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to polling places in the state. He said this would happen three or four weeks before the midterm elections. **Why did Charles say he wants federal agents at polling places?** Charles explained that state and local election authorities should have open communication with federal authorities to prevent violence, intimidation, and illegality at voting places. He also stated that legally entitled voters should be free from intimidation. **Are federal agents allowed at polling places in Maine?** Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows stated that ICE agents are prohibited by law from being at polling places. The Associated Press reported that federal law prohibits military and federal agencies from placing troops or armed officers near polling sites. **How did Democrats react to Charles's comments?** The Maine Democratic Party criticized Charles's comments, describing his plan as likely illegal and a "blatant attempt to intimidate voters." They called Charles an "extremist" who would do President Trump's bidding. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/maine-gop-governor-nominee-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Maine GOP Governor Nominee Wants ICE Agents at Polling Places", https://mediabias.news/politics/maine-gop-governor-nominee-wants-ice-agents-at-polling-places