Susan Collins
Role at the time: U.S. senator (Republican, Maine)
Statement summary
Speaking to reporters in Biddeford, Maine, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she disagrees with Republican gubernatorial nominee Bobby Charles' plan to invite ICE agents to Maine's polling places. She said an ICE presence at the polls "would intimidate a lot of legitimate American voters" and, "I just think it would make them very uncomfortable".
“To have ICE present at the polls I think would intimidate a lot of legitimate American voters. I just think it would make them very uncomfortable.”
WGME report on Sen. Susan Collins's remarks opposing ICE at Maine polling places. It also reports the Charles campaign's explanation of his remarks, a DHS statement that it has no plans to place ICE agents at polling locations, and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows's view that federal law bans armed agents there.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Why we used this label
The reference point is the administration's stated or threatened use of ICE and other armed federal agents at or near polling places in the 2026 election. Collins, a Republican, said an ICE presence at polling places would intimidate legitimate voters and that she disagrees with the plan to invite ICE agents to Maine's polls. That expressly rejects the use, and she stated no condition under which she would accept it, so condemns fits.