Maine petition that outlaws biological males in girls sports, facilities certified

The initiative will now go to the Maine Legislature for consideration (Courtesy photo)

AUGUSTA, MAINE - A citizen's initiative petition effort that would prohibit men from playing in women's sports and using women's locker rooms and bathrooms has been found valid by the Secretary of State's Office.

The petitions for "An Act to Designate School Sorts Participation and Facilities by Sex" had been in circulation since November. In February, the Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions received 8,067 petition forms with 79,692 signatures, according to officials.

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows confirmed the petition had been validated on Tuesday.

The initiative will now go to the Maine Legislature for consideration, per the provisions of the Maine Constitution where the Legislature can choose to either enact the bill as written or to send it forward to a statewide vote on Nov. 3 during the midterm elections.

Should the initiative advance to a statewide vote, state law requires Bellows to present each proposed legislation on the ballot "in a clear, concise and direct manner that describes the subject matter... as simply as possible."

If the initiative goes that way the public will be given the opportunity to comment on the question's form and content for a 30-day period before the Secretary of State finalizes the wording of the ballot question.